Washington: The United States said a shift in Iran’s leadership has altered its negotiating posture, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth asserting that a “new regime” in Tehran has been forced to rethink its approach after sustained US military pressure.
“This new regime… has a new calculus about what it means to negotiate with us,” Hegseth said, linking the change to the scale of destruction inflicted during Operation Epic Fury.
He described the current leadership as emerging in the aftermath of heavy losses among Iran’s top military and political ranks.
“You heard the list that I read… ” It’s a new group of people who’ve seen the full capability of the United States military,” Hegseth said.
US officials argued that this leadership shift was a key factor behind Iran’s decision to accept a ceasefire and enter negotiations.
“That’s why they came to the table… wanting a ceasefire and shooting to stop,” he said.
The Pentagon briefing outlined the extent of leadership disruption, with senior Iranian figures across military, intelligence, and defence structures said to have been eliminated or incapacitated during the campaign.
Hegseth said the new leadership now faces limited options.
“This new regime is out of options and out of time… so they cut a deal,” he said.
The US framed the shift not as a formal political transition but as a consequence of battlefield losses that have reshaped decision-making in Tehran.
Officials said the change has directly influenced Iran’s willingness to accept conditions imposed by Washington, including restrictions on its nuclear programme and reopening of key shipping routes.
“They know this agreement means that they will never, ever possess a nuclear weapon,” Hegseth said.
At the same time, the US signalled that the internal situation in Iran remains uncertain, particularly regarding public sentiment and long-term governance.
“I would love to see the Iranian people take advantage of this opportunity,” Hegseth said, adding that the population had been “oppressed by the previous regime.”
However, he made clear that regime change was not the stated objective of the US military campaign.
“That was not our objective in this effort,” he said.
Officials said US forces remain prepared to respond if Tehran attempts to regroup or resume hostile activities.
(IANS)
