Pentagon chief says Trump still aiming for deal with Iran
U.S. and Iranian flags are seen in this illustration taken, April 24, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File
WASHINGTON - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News on Monday that President Donald Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran even as hostilities have escalated between US ally Israel and Tehran, while a White House aide said separately that Washington was not attacking Iran.
"Of course," Hegseth said on Fox News' "Jesse Watters Primetime" show when asked if Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.
"We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal. And we certainly hope that's what happens here," Hegseth said.
In a social media post on Monday, Trump said "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran," citing what he said was the country's rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.
Israel attacked Iran on Friday and since then the two Middle Eastern rivals have exchanged blows, with Iranian officials reporting over 220 deaths, mostly civilians, in five days while Israel said 24 civilians had been killed. Israel says it aims to eliminate what it calls threats posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has pointed to its right to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that.
The air war between Iran and Israel has raised further alarms in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel's military assault on Gaza in October 2023.
Washington has thus far maintained it is not involved in Israeli attacks on Iran and warned Tehran not to attack US interests or personnel in the region.
"We're vigilant, we're prepared, and we have messaged ... consistently from the beginning that we're in the region to defend our people and our assets," Hegseth said on Fox News.
White House aide Alex Pfeiffer took to social media platform X to deny online claims that the US was attacking Iran.
"This is not true. American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed," Pfeiffer said. —Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
6 hours ago
- GMA Network
G7 statement expresses support for Israel, calls Iran source of instability
European Council President Antonio Costa, Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose for a family photo during the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Amber Bracken WASHINGTON - The Group of Seven nations expressed support for Israel and labeled its rival Iran as a source of instability in the Middle East, in a statement issued late on Monday that called for peace and stability in the region. The air war between Iran and Israel — which began on Friday when Israel attacked Iran with air strikes — has raised alarms in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel's military assault on Gaza in October 2023. —Reuters
GMA Network
6 hours ago
- GMA Network
Pentagon chief says Trump still aiming for deal with Iran
U.S. and Iranian flags are seen in this illustration taken, April 24, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File WASHINGTON - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News on Monday that President Donald Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran even as hostilities have escalated between US ally Israel and Tehran, while a White House aide said separately that Washington was not attacking Iran. "Of course," Hegseth said on Fox News' "Jesse Watters Primetime" show when asked if Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran. "We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal. And we certainly hope that's what happens here," Hegseth said. In a social media post on Monday, Trump said "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran," citing what he said was the country's rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development. Israel attacked Iran on Friday and since then the two Middle Eastern rivals have exchanged blows, with Iranian officials reporting over 220 deaths, mostly civilians, in five days while Israel said 24 civilians had been killed. Israel says it aims to eliminate what it calls threats posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has pointed to its right to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that. The air war between Iran and Israel has raised further alarms in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel's military assault on Gaza in October 2023. Washington has thus far maintained it is not involved in Israeli attacks on Iran and warned Tehran not to attack US interests or personnel in the region. "We're vigilant, we're prepared, and we have messaged ... consistently from the beginning that we're in the region to defend our people and our assets," Hegseth said on Fox News. White House aide Alex Pfeiffer took to social media platform X to deny online claims that the US was attacking Iran. "This is not true. American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed," Pfeiffer said. —Reuters
GMA Network
7 hours ago
- GMA Network
109 Filipinos seek repatriation amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions —DMW
Amid the continued exchange of air strikes between Israel and Iran, at least 109 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have expressed their intent to return home, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac. During an Unang Balita interview on Tuesday, Cacdac confirmed that government teams are on the ground providing assistance to affected Filipinos, including one critically injured Filipina now recovering in a hospital in Israel. 'Well sa ngayon, nasa critical condition pa rin siya. Dinalaw siya ng team natin,' Cacdac said. (She remains in critical condition as of now. Our team has visited her.) 'Under the auspices of the embassy, at sa OWWA, 'yung team ni Admin PY Caunan. At ang news na natanggap namin sa dalaw ay conscious siya which is a good sign. 'Yung kulay niya noong isang araw medyo maputla, pero nag-improve,' he added. (The visit was under the auspices of the embassy and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the team of Administrator Patricia Yvonne "PY" Caunan. The latest update from the hospital is that she is now conscious, which is a good sign. Her color was pale the other day, but she has improved.) Cacdac noted that the woman has a sibling with her at the hospital, providing comfort and support. He added that the DMW has already coordinated with her family in the Philippines to assure them of ongoing government help. In addition to those hospitalized, the DMW has extended help to 14 Filipinos affected by the conflict — some of whom are staying in temporary accommodations. 'Meron pa rin tayong tinutulungan sa mga hard-hit areas kung saan meron tayong linalagay ngayon sa temporary accommodation,' he said. (We're still helping people in the hardest hit areas where we've placed them in temporary accommodations.) No new injuries among Filipinos have been reported despite fresh attacks in the region, Cacdac said. 'Sa awa ng Diyos, nagkaroon na naman ng attack kahapon. Pero sa awa ng Diyos, walang tayong napabalitaang nasaktan. 'Yung apat, 'yun pa rin ang bilang na alam natin,' he said. (By God's grace, there was another attack yesterday, but fortunately, no new Filipino casualties were reported. The number remains at four.) As of now, 25 Filipinos have confirmed they want to be repatriated, on top of the 85 who registered before the recent escalation. 'Ngayon tumatayo sa 109 'yung nasa listahan natin and counting. Eighty-five doon sa 109, nagpalista na bago pa nag-atake noong Biyerne sa Iran,' he shared. (We currently have 109 on the list, and the number continues to grow. Of the 109, eighty-five registered even before the Iranian attack last Friday.) Cacdac emphasized that repatriation efforts are being coordinated, but complications remain due to closed airspace and airport restrictions in conflict zones. When asked about the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Cacdac deferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense for official updates. 'Sa puntong ito ay kailangan natin ng kaukulang payo mula sa DFA... We are also in touch with Sec. Gibo and the DND on this matter,' he said. (At this point, we need proper advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs... We're also in touch with Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro and the Department of National Defense on the matter.) Rescue personnel work at an impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, Israel June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Itai Ron Cacdac also issued a strong advisory to OFWs currently in Israel and Iran to stay indoors and avoid sharing or engaging with misinformation online. 'Huwag masyadong lumabas sa bahay. Huwag rin masyadong makilahok sa mga malawakang discussion o lalo na ang pagpapalaganap ng fake news sa panahon na ito,' he said. (Avoid going out of the house. And don't get too involved in large discussions, especially the spread of fake news at this time.) The DMW's 1348 hotline is active and can be reached locally or from abroad (+632-1348) for those in need of urgent assistance. —KG, GMA Integrated News
