US Defense Secretary: Iran-Truce Deal on Track Despite Strikes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed on Sunday, June 14, 2026, that the planned signing of a US-Iran truce memorandum remains on track, despite recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah leadership in retaliation for attacks on Israel.

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From all I know, we are on track. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. There's logistics involved into how these things happen. Ultimately, obviously, we're attuned to what's happening with Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel, which they need to stop doing, and Iran needs to encourage them to stop doing that in very adamant ways, and Israel was very measured in its response, understanding that a deal is on- is- we're on the verge of a deal. So, I don't expect that to disrupt.

Speaking on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Hegseth acknowledged the ongoing tensions but expressed confidence that the situation would not derail the agreement. "From all I know, we are on track. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," he stated, noting that logistics are involved in finalizing such agreements.

Hegseth stressed the critical role Iran must play in ensuring the success of the truce. "Hezbollah needs to stop doing [firing rockets into northern Israel], and Iran needs to encourage them to stop doing that in very adamant ways," he urged. He characterized Israel's response as measured, understanding that the deal is on the verge of being finalized.

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No money released to Iran until they perform. There's no trust and verify. There's no trust here and we're going to verify everything. Nuclear material will be destroyed and removed. The nuclear program will be dismantled. The straits will be open. No tolling.

Addressing the specifics of the proposed agreement, Hegseth clarified that it is strictly performance-based. "No money released to Iran until they perform," he asserted. He detailed that the deal involves verifying the destruction and removal of nuclear material, dismantling the nuclear program, and ensuring the opening of the straits without tolls. "The JCPOA was a path to a bomb, what this deal will be, will be a wall to a bomb, and that was the objective from the beginning, very clear from the beginning," Hegseth concluded, contrasting the new deal with the previous Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

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The JCPOA was a path to a bomb, what this deal will be, will be a wall to a bomb, and that was the objective from the beginning, very clear from the beginning.