- Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed the US has a contingency plan to escalate military action against Iran if needed.
- The statement comes amid heightened tensions following recent attacks on US forces in the Middle East.
- Hegseth emphasized diplomatic efforts remain the priority but warned of consequences for any aggression.
Hegseth outlines escalation strategy
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed Thursday that the US military has developed a detailed plan to escalate operations in Iran should the situation require it, according to remarks made during a press briefing at the Pentagon. "We have a plan to escalate in Iran, if necessary," Hegseth said, adding that the strategy includes a range of options from cyber operations to targeted strikes.
The announcement arrives as the Biden administration faces growing pressure to respond to a series of drone attacks on US bases in Syria and Iraq, which Washington has attributed to Iran-backed militias. A senior defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the plan has been in development for weeks and "accounts for various levels of Iranian provocation."
"Our goal is deterrence, not war," Hegseth said during the briefing. "But if diplomacy fails and our forces are threatened, we will not hesitate to act decisively." The comments mark one of the clearest acknowledgments yet of a formal escalation framework, which analysts say signals a shift from the administration's earlier restraint.
Background tensions have simmered since the US killed top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020, and recent incidents have pushed the region closer to the brink. Hegseth's remarks drew sharp reactions from Tehran, with Iranian state media calling the plan "a reckless provocation."
When asked for comment, the Iranian mission to the UN did not immediately respond. The Pentagon declined to elaborate on the specific components of the plan, citing operational security.