U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that Washington is prepared to resume military action against Iran if efforts to reach a deal fail.

Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier security forum, Mr Hegseth said the United States has adequate military stockpiles in the region and around the world to undertake such operations if required. He said the country is well-positioned to respond to any contingency.

The U.S. Defense Secretary also asserted that Washington remains firmly committed to the Asia-Pacific region despite its involvement in the conflict with Iran. He said the United States has not shifted its strategic focus away from the Indo-Pacific.