US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday (July 31) praised President Donald Trump for ordering strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities while continuing diplomatic engagement with Tehran, saying the president had demonstrated both military resolve and a willingness to negotiate.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-kind-of-madness-iran-vows-to-target-israeli-and-us-energy-infrastructure-if-attacked-as-trump-weighs-fresh-strikes-1785537054828">'A kind of madness': Iran vows to target Israeli and US energy infrastructure if attacked as Trump weighs fresh strikes</a>&nbsp;Speaking during a televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Hegseth said Trump had shown “the courage to do Midnight Hammer and conclude the 12-day war by obliterating their nuclear sites.” He said previous US presidents had weighed similar military action against Iran's nuclear programme but ultimately decided against it.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-are-italy-s-schengen-rules-with-spain-and-why-has-meloni-suspended-it-wion-decodes-1785528770282">What are Italy’s Schengen rules with Spain and why has Meloni suspended them? WION Decodes</a>&nbsp;"They never pulled the trigger because of the complications, challenges and risks," Hegseth said, crediting Trump with deciding those concerns. At the same time, Hegseth defended the administration's diplomatic approach towards Tehran, saying it was backed by experienced officials.&nbsp;"We have the best negotiators in the world," he said, praising Trump's strategy of combining military action with continued diplomatic efforts.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-re-going-to-be-hitting-them-very-hard-trump-vows-heavy-strike-after-us-intercepts-iranian-missile-attack-1785353856416">‘We're going to be hitting them very hard’: Trump vows heavy strike after US intercepts Iranian missile attack</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, there are reports that US President Donald Trump has ordered fresh military strikes on Iran that could begin as soon as this weekend. This comes as Washington steps up pressure on Tehran to return to negotiations.&nbsp;According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday (July 31), citing US officials, Trump approved plans for a new round of military action after warning during a televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David that the United States would be "hitting them very hard" if Iran failed to change course. &nbsp;

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised President Donald Trump for ordering strikes on Iran's nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer, while successfully combining military resolve with ongoing diplomacy.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday (July 31) praised President Donald Trump for ordering strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities while continuing diplomatic engagement with Tehran, saying the president had demonstrated both military resolve and a willingness to negotiate. Also read: 'A kind of madness': Iran vows to target Israeli and US energy infrastructure if attacked as Trump weighs fresh strikes Speaking during a televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Hegseth said Trump had shown “the courage to do Midnight Hammer and conclude the 12-day war by obliterating their nuclear sites.” He said previous US presidents had weighed similar military action against Iran's nuclear programme but ultimately decided against it. Also read: What are Italy’s Schengen rules with Spain and why has Meloni suspended them? WION Decodes "They never pulled the trigger because of the complications, challenges and risks," Hegseth said, crediting Trump with deciding those concerns. At the same time, Hegseth defended the administration's diplomatic approach towards Tehran, saying it was backed by experienced officials. "We have the best negotiators in the world," he said, praising Trump's strategy of combining military action with continued diplomatic efforts. Also read: ‘We're going to be hitting them very hard’: Trump vows heavy strike after US intercepts Iranian missile attack Meanwhile, there are reports that US President Donald Trump has ordered fresh military strikes on Iran that could begin as soon as this weekend. This comes as Washington steps up pressure on Tehran to return to negotiations. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday (July 31), citing US officials, Trump approved plans for a new round of military action after warning during a televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David that the United States would be "hitting them very hard" if Iran failed to change course.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised President Donald Trump for ordering strikes on Iran's nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer, while successfully combining military resolve with ongoing diplomacy.

'Never pulled the trigger': Hegseth hails Trump for Iran nuclear strikes, diplomacy

Both Israel and the incoming Donald Trump administration in the US are mulling strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to prevent the Shi’ite nation from developing a nuclear bomb. The Times of Israel reported citing military officials that there was an opportunity for the Israeli Defense Forces to strike Iranian nuclear facilities after the weakening of Iranian proxy groups in the Middle East and the dramatic fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.

The IDF is worried that a weakened Iran may now expedite its nuclear development programme to maintain deterrence.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Friday that President-elect Donald Trump was keeping open the possibility of launching pre-emptive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, a move inconsistent with the American policy of using diplomacy and sanctions to exert pressure on Tehran.

Trump allies and cabinet members also believe that strikes are possible given the decimation of regime proxy militias Hezbollah and Hamas in the region as well as the ouster of Assad from Syria.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiS9pLFlKSKAxXFe_UHHWJXLnAQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bengaluru-techie-dies-by-suicide-leaves-behind-24-page-death-note-alleging-harassment-by-wife-782971" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bengaluru-techie-dies-by-suicide-leaves-behind-24-page-death-note-alleging-harassment-by-wife-782971&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiS9pLFlKSKAxXFe_UHHWJXLnAQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE">Man dies by suicide, tags Musk and Trump in last post, accuses wife of harassment</a>

During recent calls, Trump has reportedly told Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that he is most worried about the prospect of Tehran getting a nuclear bomb; however, he wants to avoid the involvement of the US military in any conflict as well. As per the WSJ report, the Trump team has devised a “maximum pressure 2.0” strategy against the theocratic regime, with the administration now open to taking military actions.

The new plan may include sending more US military personnel to the West Asian region and selling more arms to Israel, including bunker-busting bombs.

Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Trump 'Vehemently' Opposed To Firing ATACMS Deep Into Russia

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Earlier on Thursday, Trump said during an interview that he could go to war with Iran because Tehran plotted to assassinate him. “Anything can happen,” he said. “It’s a very volatile situation.”

According to officials cited by the WSJ, Trump contemplated launching strikes on Iran during the end of this first term as well.

(With inputs from agencies)

Both Israel and the incoming Donald Trump administration in the US are mulling strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to prevent the Shi’ite nation from developing a nuclear bomb.

Both Israel and the incoming Donald Trump administration in the US are mulling strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to prevent the Shi’ite nation from developing a nuclear bomb. The Times of Israel reported citing military officials that there was an opportunity for the Israeli Defense Forces to strike Iranian nuclear facilities after the weakening of Iranian proxy groups in the Middle East and the dramatic fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. The IDF is worried that a weakened Iran may now expedite its nuclear development programme to maintain deterrence. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Friday that President-elect Donald Trump was keeping open the possibility of launching pre-emptive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, a move inconsistent with the American policy of using diplomacy and sanctions to exert pressure on Tehran. Trump allies and cabinet members also believe that strikes are possible given the decimation of regime proxy militias Hezbollah and Hamas in the region as well as the ouster of Assad from Syria. Also read: Man dies by suicide, tags Musk and Trump in last post, accuses wife of harassment During recent calls, Trump has reportedly told Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that he is most worried about the prospect of Tehran getting a nuclear bomb; however, he wants to avoid the involvement of the US military in any conflict as well. As per the WSJ report, the Trump team has devised a “maximum pressure 2.0” strategy against the theocratic regime, with the administration now open to taking military actions. The new plan may include sending more US military personnel to the West Asian region and selling more arms to Israel, including bunker-busting bombs. Watch: Russia-Ukraine War: Trump 'Vehemently' Opposed To Firing ATACMS Deep Into Russia × Earlier on Thursday, Trump said during an interview that he could go to war with Iran because Tehran plotted to assassinate him. “Anything can happen,” he said. “It’s a very volatile situation.” According to officials cited by the WSJ, Trump contemplated launching strikes on Iran during the end of this first term as well. (With inputs from agencies)

Both Israel, Trump team mulling launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites: Reports

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'Never pulled the trigger': Hegseth hails Trump for Iran nuclear strikes, diplomacy

Both Israel, Trump team mulling launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites: Reports