The United States has declared that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a “non-negotiable” condition as ceasefire talks advance following weeks of intense military confrontation.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reiterated Washington’s firm stance, stating that Iran would never be allowed to develop or possess nuclear capabilities under any future agreement. “It’s always been non-negotiable that they won’t have nuclear capabilities,” Hegseth said, outlining what officials describe as a central red line in ongoing negotiations.

The statement comes as the U.S. increases scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program after a series of coordinated strikes targeting key infrastructure. According to American officials, Iran’s remaining nuclear material is now under close surveillance. “Right now, it’s buried, and we’re watching it… we know exactly what they have,” Hegseth said.

Washington has indicated that Iran will be required to surrender its enriched nuclear material as part of any long-term settlement. Failure to comply, officials warned, could result in further military action. “They will either give it to us… or if we have to do something else ourselves… we reserve that opportunity,” Hegseth added, underscoring the administration’s willingness to escalate if necessary.

The Pentagon said recent operations—carried out under the codename Operation Epic Fury—have significantly weakened Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Dan Caine, stated that nearly 80 percent of Iran’s nuclear industrial base had been damaged during the campaign. The strikes targeted facilities linked to missile production, drone manufacturing, and nuclear development, along with command-and-control networks.

U.S. officials believe the sustained military pressure has forced Tehran to reassess its strategic position. Hegseth suggested that Iran’s leadership now faces a “new calculus” in negotiations after witnessing the scale and precision of American military capabilities.

“They know this agreement means that they will never, ever possess a nuclear weapon,” he said, emphasizing that compliance would be strictly enforced through monitoring mechanisms and continued military readiness.

The nuclear issue is expected to remain at the core of any broader agreement between Washington and Tehran during the current ceasefire window. U.S. officials have made clear that any violation or refusal to comply could trigger renewed strikes similar to those carried out in recent weeks.

As diplomatic efforts continue, Washington’s uncompromising position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions signals that while a temporary pause in conflict may be possible, fundamental disagreements remain unresolved.