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The United States may ultimately prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon by destroying Tehran’s nuclear capabilities rather than reaching a negotiated agreement, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday, signaling that Washington is prepared to pursue its objectives even if diplomacy fails.

“There may not be a nuclear agreement. It may be simply destroying their capabilities to do it,” Wright said on ABC News’ “This Week.” “An agreement may await the next administration in Iran. We simply don’t know that.”

Wright’s remarks came as the U.S.-Iran conflict entered its seventh month and suggested that the Trump administration sees the destruction of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as an alternative to securing an agreement with Tehran.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is a central objective of the U.S. campaign. At the same time, his administration has continued to leave open the possibility of reaching a diplomatic settlement with Tehran as the prolonged conflict has disrupted energy markets and driven up fuel prices.

Asked whether U.S. forces would continue striking Iran if Tehran attempts to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure, Wright replied, “You have to destroy their capabilities to do it.”

“We are degrading their capacity to develop nuclear weapons and ultimately to deliver them if they develop them,” he said. “It is a 47-year-long effort. This is not trivial, but the United States will get the job done and we will work in cooperation with our allies in the region.”

Wright returned to the subject later Sunday during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” where he stressed that the administration has not abandoned diplomacy.

Wright said the president’s preference “is always to have a negotiated settlement and not use a military solution unless absolutely necessary.”

The energy secretary also said that a major focus of the U.S. military campaign is now choking off Iran’s ability to sell energy products abroad.

“The biggest role of our military in the region right now is to stop the export of any Iranian crude or crude-related products, natural gas, whatever,” he said. “We are strangling their economy to try to bring either a change in policy from the existing regime or a new regime.”

The comments come amid a broader escalation of Washington’s economic pressure on Tehran. The Treasury Department last week launched “Operation Economic Outcast,” an effort Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described as aimed at economically isolating Iran and depriving its government of revenue.

The economic campaign has been accompanied by renewed American military action. U.S. forces resumed strikes against Iranian targets over the past week, including attacks in the vicinity of Qeshm Island, Chabahar and Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump on Friday also raised the possibility of an American strike on Pickaxe Mountain, the heavily fortified Iranian underground facility associated with Tehran’s nuclear program.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump again said the United States would not permit Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.

“Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” he said, before adding, “We may hit Pickaxe very soon…if there was anything going on with Pickaxe.”

Trump has also said that he does not expect the latest round of fighting with Iran to continue much longer.

Asked how long the renewed escalation might last, Trump responded, “Not too long”. He then suggested that Tehran’s ability to withstand continued American military pressure may be limited.

“I don’t think it will be very much longer. I don’t know how much more they can take,” Trump said of Iran.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of Belzer bochurim will daven in a special minyan in the “Groisse Shtub” on Rosh Hashanah due to overcrowding in the main bais medrash, while Belzer chassidim around the world continue to daven for the recovery of the Belzer Rebbe, who was hospitalized Sunday for medical tests.

Rav Shalom Rokeach, the eldest grandson of the Belzer Rebbe, announced the Rosh Hashanah arrangements after the recitation of the entire Tehillim in the main bais medrash, as is customary in Belz on the first day of Selichos. He addressed thousands of talmidim from the Belzer yeshivos who had gathered for the occasion.

According to sources, Rav Shalom informed the bochurim that because of the enormous crowds and lack of sufficient room in the main bais medrash, the Rebbe had approved plans for thousands of them to daven in a separate minyan in the Groisse Shtub during Rosh Hashanah.

Under the current plan, the Rebbe is expected to daven Shacharis with the bochurim in the Groisse Shtub on both days of Rosh Hashanah. He is then scheduled to join the main minyan in the large bais medrash for Mussaf.

The announcement came as Belzer chassidim across the world gathered Sunday to recite Tehillim for the Rebbe, Rav Yissachar Dov ben Miriam, who was admitted to the hospital for a series of tests. He is expected to remain hospitalized until Monday morning.

Earlier Sunday, the Rebbe was not feeling well and, for the first time since assuming leadership of Belz, did not lead the opening Selichos. His only son, Rav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach, led the Selichos in his place.

An update on the Rebbe’s condition was issued Sunday evening by Rav Moshe Ringel, secretary of the Belzer Rebbe’s household.

“After all the tests that were conducted, it was discovered that there was an infection which has been brought under control. In light of the doctors’ recommendation that treatment for the infection begin in the hospital, the Rebbe will therefore remain in the hospital for the next 24 hours, and all chassidim are asked to continue davening for the complete recovery of Rav Yissachar Dov ben Miriam.”

Belzer communities around the world continued to recite Tehillim and daven for the Rebbe’s complete recovery, b’soch she’ar cholei Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}