The United States hopes that Iran will follow the path of negotiations to resolve the escalation in the Middle East. This was stated in an interview with Fox News by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.

“We are on alert. We are ready for decisive responses, while the president continues to tell Iran: ‘You have a chance for peace.’ That is truly the case, [that chance] includes various aspects of what has been discussed. Iran knows this, they know they can return. Right now, they are making their own decisions. We hope they will choose the negotiation path,” he emphasized.

The U.S. is ready to ensure the security of its citizens and military bases in the Middle East, Hegseth stated.

“We have all the necessary means to protect our citizens, our bases, our interests,” he said. “We are using all available means to protect our people in the region and around the world,” he added. He warned Iran against any actions against the U.S.