WASHINGTON, May 31, (V7N) – The United States warned on Saturday that it is “more than capable” of resuming military action against Iran, as President Donald Trump insisted that any peace agreement must meet Washington’s key conditions, including preventing Tehran from ever developing nuclear weapons.

The warning came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the two countries, although Iran denied reports that a final agreement had been reached.

Speaking at a defence summit in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington remained fully prepared for renewed military action if talks failed.

“We are more than capable” of restarting the war, Hegseth said, adding that US military stockpiles were fully prepared for such a scenario.

The White House indicated that Trump was close to making a decision on a possible agreement after holding a Situation Room meeting on Friday, but no final approval was announced.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) also said American forces remain “present and vigilant” across the Middle East despite a ceasefire that has largely held since April.

Iran’s IRNA news agency reported on Saturday that Iranian air defences had shot down a drone allegedly belonging to what it described as the “US-Zionist aggressor enemy.”

President Trump said any agreement with Tehran must ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons and must include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route currently under Iranian restrictions.

“President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines,” a White House official told AFP.

Iran, however, rejected what it called Washington’s “language of demands.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran “said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago,” while confirming that negotiations and exchanges of messages were continuing.

Trump also claimed Iran would remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz and reopen the waterway without imposing tolls, while the United States would lift its blockade of Iranian ports.

Iranian media, however, disputed several of Trump’s statements. Fars news agency reported that Tehran was demanding the release of US$12 billion in frozen Iranian assets before advancing talks further, while state television said an unofficial draft understanding included a US pledge to provide Iran access to those funds within 60 days.

The White House dismissed the reports as “fabrication.”

Meanwhile, tensions continue on the Lebanese front despite a separate ceasefire there. Israeli forces issued new evacuation warnings for villages in southern Lebanon, while Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy and collective punishment.”

Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have continued since the truce declared on April 17, with both sides accusing each other of repeated violations.

Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon began in April, and a fourth round of negotiations is expected next week.

END/WD/RH/