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U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated Monday that "everything is on the table" in the U.S. approach to Iran, as Washington pressed Tehran to reach a nuclear deal amid an unprecedented military buildup across the Middle East.
"Iran should make a deal. Iran has an opportunity to make a deal. That's the outcome the president would prefer," Hegseth told reporters during a visit to Colorado.
"Our job is to provide options, and we will have options for the president should Iran decide not to take a deal," he added.
When asked whether military strikes remain under consideration, Hegseth said, "everything is on the table."
"It's the president's decision. We're here to help ensure that a deal is made. And I think Iran would be wise to make a good deal," he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently rejected media reports that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine advised the president that military action against Iran could carry substantial risks and leave the U.S. embroiled in a prolonged conflict.
"Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran. The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Trump said Caine would prefer to avoid war but is prepared to carry out military operations if directed. "General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won," he said.
"I am the one who makes the decision. I would rather have a Deal than not, if we don't make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them," Trump said.
According to CBS News, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the limits of military leverage against Iran.
Unlike previous targeted operations, including the one removing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power, Trump has been told that any strike on Tehran's assets would almost certainly not be a singular, decisive blow.
"Limited strikes could open the door to a wider confrontation, risking a protracted conflict in the Middle East," sources told CBS News.
A senior military official told CBS News that military planners are providing unbiased advice. In private meetings, Caine has reportedly advised Trump that a sustained military campaign against Iran could carry significant repercussions, including retaliation from Tehran and its proxies against U.S. forces and allies.
The United States has greatly expanded its military posture across the region.
The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group is expected to position within range of Iranian territory, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and other aircraft squadrons stationed at bases throughout the Persian Gulf.
Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems have been reinforced to protect American troops and regional allies from potential retaliation.
More than 200 U.S. combat aircraft are positioned in the Middle East, and more than 300 when including those in Europe, according to Israel's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS).
These include 36 F-15 jets, at least 48 F-35 stealth fighters, 12 F-22 stealth fighters stationed in the United Kingdom and 36 F-16 jets.
In addition, more than 100 refueling, command and control, intelligence and transport aircraft are deployed alongside two carrier strike groups and 12 destroyers.
U.S. military refueling aircraft arrived at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv in central Israel on Monday evening, posting images of the aircraft shortly after arrival.
The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon evacuated dozens of its personnel via Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Monday.
A senior State Department official who spoke to the BBC said, "We continuously assess the security environment, and based on our latest review, we determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel.
"The embassy remains operational with core staff in place. This is a temporary measure intended to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our ability to operate and assist U.S. citizens."
"The embassy remains operational with core staff in place."
The embassy said on X that its personnel "are restricted from personal travel without advance permission," adding that "additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S. personnel under Chief of Mission security responsibility, with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Monday that Israel is navigating "complex and very difficult" days, signaling growing concern over rising tensions with Iran.
"No one knows what tomorrow holds," Netanyahu told the Knesset, calling for national unity as Israel prepares for possible escalation.
Netanyahu warned that Tehran would face a "severe response" if it attacked Israel, saying Iran would make "the biggest mistake in its history" by doing so.
"I have made it clear to the Ayatollah regime that if they attack the State of Israel, we will respond with a force they cannot even imagine," Netanyahu said.
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Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called for striking Iran's oil fields and energy facilities, claiming such attacks would help bring down what he described as the "Ayatollah regime."
"Iran must be attacked with full force," Lapid said, according to the daily Yedioth Ahronoth. "Oil fields and energy facilities must also be bombed. That is what will bring down the Ayatollah regime."
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