US-Iran Talks are set to resume as the United States balances renewed diplomatic efforts with a strong military posture, following President Donald Trump’s decision to postpone a planned strike against Iran and pursue negotiations over regional security and Tehran’s nuclear programme.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the American military remains fully prepared despite the shift toward diplomacy. In a post on X, Hegseth stated that the Department of Defense continues to operate at an exceptional level of readiness.

“The Department of Defense was ready to go, and remains ready, at levels not seen since World War II. Locked and loaded,” Hegseth wrote, reinforcing Washington’s message that military options remain available if negotiations fail.

More than 100 words into the latest diplomatic developments, US-Iran Talks have become the primary focus of Washington’s strategy as officials seek agreements on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear activities while maintaining maximum military preparedness.

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Hegseth also echoed President Trump’s earlier warning about the military operation that had been under consideration, saying the proposed strike would have been the largest US military action since World War II and would have had devastating consequences for Iran.

President Trump confirmed that negotiations with Tehran would begin after he decided to delay the planned military operation. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iranian officials were aware of the scale of the military preparations before Washington shifted its attention toward diplomacy.

“They knew the extent of the attack because they saw it forming,” Trump said, adding that the United States was now engaging Iran through direct negotiations.

The president declined to specify a deadline for reaching an agreement but expressed optimism that diplomacy could produce meaningful results.

According to Trump, the negotiations will primarily focus on ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, as well as addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump also revealed that leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar had encouraged Washington to avoid military action and instead pursue a diplomatic solution.

He said he believes agreements can be reached on both the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme, reiterating that the United States ultimately seeks the complete denuclearisation of Iran.

The latest statements from senior US officials highlight Washington’s dual-track strategy of combining diplomatic engagement with sustained military readiness. While negotiations are now moving forward, both Trump and Hegseth have stressed that military force remains an available option should diplomatic efforts fail to resolve the dispute.