The updated menu of options includes scenarios that would place American forces directly on Iranian soil, such as targeted raids against key facilities. To illustrate American military capability, the defence chief pointed to the recent capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, describing the operation as unparalleled in scale and execution. “No other military in the world could have executed the most sophisticated, powerful raid — not just in American history — I would say in world history,” Hegseth said. He expressed urgency on Iran returning to the negotiating table and urged Tehran to reach an agreement that would bar nuclear weapons development. Trump’s comments invoked past US military action, including a June 2025 campaign when American forces struck multiple Iranian nuclear facilities in coordination with Israel, an operation that Washington said significantly set back Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.