This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is warning Iran of U.S. military action if fresh talks fail to ensure the Islamic Republic does not have a nuclear weapon.
"President Trump is dead serious on this issue," Hegseth said on "Sunday Morning Futures" with Maria Bartiromo on the Fox News Channel.
While calling the negotiations headed by Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, a "good step," Hegseth indicated the president is" also dead serious that if we can't figure this out at the negotiating table, then there are other options to include my department to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear bomb. We hope we never get there. We really do."
Meanwhile, the U.S. has been pounding Iran-backed Houthi rebels recently to stem the Islamic assault on American ships in the region.
"What we're doing with the Houthis and what we're doing in the region we've shown a capability to go far, to go deep, and to go big," Hegseth said.
"Again, we don't want to do that, but if we have to we will to prevent the nuclear bomb in Iran's hands."
Hegseth added he's hoping Iran gets the message with the recent U.S. strikes.
"We know Iran has taken a look at what's happening to the Houthis, and realized they don't want any part of it. That's because … we're dismantling the Houthis' capabilities. We're even hearing rumblings of them second-guessing what they're doing. Ultimately, we just want to open up our shipping lanes.
"It sends a very clear signal to Iran as well. You're not gonna mess with the United States. Iran, come to the table. Negotiate full dismantlement of your nuclear capabilities, and that doesn't have to be your future."
Hegseth also talked at length about Trump's efforts to take back control of the Panama Canal from increasing Chinese influence.
"China's influence cannot control our own backyard, especially a critical waterway, a key terrain like the Panama Canal," he said.
After traveling to Panama this past week, Hegseth announced a two-part deal:
1. U.S. military and auxiliary vessels will travel first and free through the canal.
2. A formal agreement with Panama to reestablish a permanent U.S. presence.
"Fort Sherman will reopen jointly with the Panamanians, a jungle school, and we're going to have a larger U.S. presence – at the invitation of Panama – working with them to keep the Communist Chinese out," Hegseth indicated Sunday.
"If we can't use that waterway in a key contingency, then China has an advantage. Other presidents have allowed us. We've been sort of asleep at the wheel."
"The Communist Chinese want to control politicians, they're building infrastructure projects, they want to surveil. They want to take that canal. President Trump says not on our watch, and we're fighting back.
"They're building a tunnel underneath the canal they're paying for, what could that be used for? Surveillance of submarines? Of ships? Bridges over the top. Cranes … with antennas all over them. What are those used to do?"
When asked by Bartiromo about the large amount of signage in the Chinese language in the Canal Zone, Hegseth replied: "By now, they're removing a lot of that signage, but removing signage is not enough. You've got to remove the insidious influence."
