Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday dismissed concerns that recent exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel could derail the U.S.-Iran peace deal, as the two sides prepared for an electronic signing ceremony later in the day.
“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,” Hegseth said during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
His remarks came amid a fresh wave of hostilities: Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, and Israel responded with targeted strikes in Lebanon. Hegseth acknowledged the volatility but insisted the broader diplomatic push remained intact. “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,” he said. “Israel was very measured in its response, understanding that a deal is on the verge. So, I don’t expect that to disrupt.”
The deal, which has been in the works for months, aims to establish a framework for peace between Washington and Tehran. President Trump announced the signing on Sunday, framing it as a stark contrast to the Obama-era nuclear accord. The agreement comes after a 100-day conflict that saw direct U.S.-Iran clashes, and Pakistan confirmed that both sides had finalized the text.
On Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social to urge restraint. “We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down,” he wrote. “There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it!”
The current ceasefire, which applies to Lebanon, has been strained by Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Beirut and its southern suburbs. Tehran has accused Washington of violating the truce by allowing those strikes. Hegseth pushed back, saying Iran must rein in its proxy. “If Iran wants this to hold, they need to pull back Hezbollah, no doubt,” he said.
Some analysts have questioned whether Israel’s actions are aimed at scuttling the broader deal. Senator Deb Fischer expressed doubt that Israel intended to derail the agreement, but the tension remains palpable. Hegseth said he expects “more robust talks” on the Hezbollah-Israel front soon, though he offered no timeline.
The Pentagon chief’s confidence comes days after Lebanon and Israel signed a separate ceasefire, pledging to jointly target Hezbollah. That pact has not stopped the violence, but Hegseth framed it as a stepping stone. “We’re on the verge of a deal that could reshape the region,” he said. “Everyone needs to act accordingly.”
