US ‘more than capable’ of resuming war against Iran, Pete Hegseth says

The US has more than sufficient stockpiles of weapons and is “more than capable” of resuming the war with Iran, Pete Hegseth told a defence summit hours after a meeting in Washington failed to produce a deal to end the conflict. “Our ability to recommence if necessary is we are more than capable,” the US defence secretary told the Shangri-La Dialogue, a defence summit held in Singapore on Saturday. “Our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions.” Hegseth’s remarks came as a peace deal between the US and Iran to end the war remained elusive. Donald Trump on Friday claimed he could approve an Iran peace deal that contains major concessions from Tehran, including the opening of the strait of Hormuz and the elimination of the country’s nuclear programme. But top Iranian officials signalled a final agreement had not been reached. Two weeks after Trump’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, Hegseth also said there was “rightful alarm” about Beijing’s military buildup, but the US sought a “respectful” regional balance. His headline speech at the defence summit, which brings together top defence officials and experts from about 45 countries, contrasted with his strongly confrontational remarks on China at last year’s event. …