▲ U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned on June 14 (local time) that if Iran fails to comply with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending the war that is expected to be signed with the U.S. soon, it will face war once again.
Appearing on CBS, Secretary Hegseth said, "If they don't want to comply with it, they're going to have to deal with the Department of War again. We don't want to do that, and President Trump doesn't want to do that."
He added, "They (Iran) know what the devastating effects were on their military, their air defense systems, and their (military) capabilities," asserting, "They don't want to go through that again."
He expressed the view that this U.S. military superiority was "part of the reason why Iran came to the negotiating table," noting that the two recent airstrikes against Iran played a significant role in the progress toward signing the MOU to end the war.
Secretary Hegseth stated that once the MOU is finalized and an agreement on Iran's denuclearization is reached, "We will work with Iran to remove that material (enriched uranium in Iran), and Iran may dilute it," adding, "But Iran will not be in possession of that material."
This is interpreted to mean that the 440 kg of 60% enriched uranium known to remain in Iran's underground facilities will be diluted within Iran and then removed from the country.
Reuters, citing a senior Iranian official, reported that Iran has promised to abandon nuclear weapons and immediately open the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. has agreed to lift the maritime blockade on Iran, return large amounts of frozen funds, and grant waivers on oil sanctions.
The report also stated that the U.S. has agreed to a plan to dilute the enriched uranium within Iranian territory, with specific procedures and methods for the dilution to be discussed during the upcoming 60-day negotiation period.
"We will be involved, whether physically or in other ways, to ensure that (the dilution and removal of enriched uranium) is implemented," Secretary Hegseth explained. "The U.S. military could take on that role, or there are other options."
Secretary Hegseth stated that the MOU "stipulates that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, nor will it pursue, purchase, or possess one."
He continued, "Our military posture will be at a level necessary to compel them to actually implement what they said they would do during the 60 days under this MOU."
Denying media reports that Iran would receive the return of large amounts of frozen funds and see sanctions lifted immediately upon signing the MOU, he emphasized, "This agreement is based on performance. No funds will be released until Iran fulfills its promises."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.