Ahead of Hearings, Hagel Commits To Preventing Iranian Nukes
In answers prepared for his Senate hearings, Chuck Hagel says he is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, even if this means military action.
“With the ever present threat of Iran, the next Secretary of Defense must be vigilant in pursuing the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and must maintain our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security,” Hagel says in outlining his priorities at the outset of a 112-page question and answer preparatory paper released Wednesday through one of his key advocates, Steve Clemons, a writer at The Atlantic.
Hagel is set to face the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.
Asked if he agrees with President Obama that all options are on the table when it comes to Iran, Hagel says: “I agree with the President that the United States should take no options off the table in our efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. If confirmed, I will focus intently on ensuring that U.S. military is in fact prepared for any contingency.”
Hagel has come under fire from some Republicans and conservatives for his past skepticism of the efficacy of Iran sanctions and his wariness of a military strike.
In the prep document released by Clemons, Hagel endorses Obama’s sanctions regime.
He also praises U.S.-Israel defense cooperation and said said he would work to expand missile defense cooperation with Israel.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
