US defense secretary says Iran must be pushed to abandon nuclear ambitions

US defense secretary says Iran must be pushed to abandon nuclear ambitions US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington must pressure Iran into giving up its nuclear ambitions as part of any future deal. Pressed by lawmakers on strategy, he said the aim is to “get them to the point where they’re at the table giving it up”. Hegseth claimed US and Israeli strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities, but said Tehran still retains ambitions and a large missile arsenal.