The United States remains prepared to resume military strikes if a diplomatic agreement with Iran to end the ongoing Middle East conflict fails to materialize, senior officials indicated over the weekend. President Donald Trump has yet to make a final decision on the matter after extensive consultations with his Cabinet, sources said.

On Friday, Trump spent more than two hours in the White House situation room meeting with key advisors as efforts intensified to negotiate an end to the conflict that has disrupted global markets since its escalation in February. The administration conveyed that the president is “very close” to securing a deal aimed at resolving tensions before the upcoming World Cup, which begins on June 11.

Speaking at a defense summit in Singapore, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasized the administration’s readiness to reengage militarily if diplomatic efforts falter. “We’re prepared to re-engage if we have to,” Hegseth said, underscoring that the U.S. military remains more capable and positioned than at the outset of the conflict.

Central to the negotiations is Tehran’s commitment regarding its nuclear program. President Trump has insisted that an agreement must include a binding guarantee that Iran will forego the development of nuclear weapons — a demand Iran has refused to accept. Despite this impasse, both parties announced Thursday they had reached the framework of a memorandum of understanding.

Iranian officials have criticized the U.S. stance, particularly condemning the ongoing naval blockade enforced by Washington in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, accused the United States of undermining diplomacy through the blockade, characterizing it as a betrayal of negotiation efforts.

As the deadline approaches, the White House appears eager to finalize a deal that would de-escalate hostilities in the region, alleviate geopolitical tensions, and stabilize energy markets. However, the threat of renewed military action remains if diplomatic talks collapse. The situation continues to evolve as the White House weighs both diplomatic and military options ahead of a critical juncture.