During a press conference, U.S. official Hasseth avoided repeating President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington had no prior knowledge of the Israeli strike on Iran’s gas field, raising questions about U.S. awareness ahead of the attack.
Responding to concerns that Israel could be dragging the United States deeper into the conflict, Hasseth stated: “We hold the cards. We have clear goals, and so do our allies.”
He confirmed that the strike on Iranian energy infrastructure was intended as a direct message to Tehran, accusing Iran of using energy as a weapon for decades. He added that Israel’s actions, along with U.S. positioning, signal that broader targets could be considered if tensions escalate.
Hasseth also reiterated President Trump’s warning that Iran must stop attacks on Gulf countries, emphasizing that the U.S. military maintains decisive leverage. He stressed that Iran still has the option to change course and avoid further escalation.
