Pentagon chief stresses Israel's right to hit Iran

[King_David]

JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel held out hope Sunday for a nonmilitary way to ending the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, but he also emphasized Washington’s willingness to let Israel decide whether and when it might strike Tehran in self-defense.

Hagel, on his first visit to Israel as Pentagon chief, seemed intent on burying the image that Republican critics painted of him as insufficiently supportive of the Jewish state. That portrayal was central to a failed campaign to derail Hagel’s Senate confirmation in February.

In an interview with reporters on his flight from Washington, Hagel said the United States and Israel see ‘‘exactly the same’’ threat from Iran, which he described as a toxic combination of nuclear ambition and support for terrorism.

But he acknowledged differences on when it may reach the point of requiring U.S. or Israeli military action.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middle-east/2013/04/21/hagel-israel-see-exactly-same-iran-threat/xTRibjjbPX5XMBAWUoVUKK/story.html

[King_David]

1. I wonder what all those people

That were so super enthusiastic about the Hagel appointment and those people who were kind of lukewarm to his appointment , think about his views now.

[azurnoir]

2. if Israel wishes to start a war with Iran well that is Israels right

but I note what Hagel said about US involvement in such a plan as noted here in your OP

In an interview with reporters on his flight from Washington, Hagel said the United States and Israel see ‘‘exactly the same’’ threat from Iran, which he described as a toxic combination of nuclear ambition and support for terrorism.

But he acknowledged differences on when it may reach the point of requiring U.S. or Israeli military action.

Hagel stressed repeatedly that Israel has a sovereign right to decide for itself whether it must attack Iran. He made no mention of the possibility that an Israeli attack would draw the U.S. into the conflict and lead to a wider regional war.

‘‘Israel will make the decision that Israel must make to protect itself, to defend itself,’’ Hagel said as he began a weeklong tour of the Middle East.

[King_David]

3. Hagel's views have changed.

[delrem]

5. surprise surprise

[azurnoir]

6. what changed ?

[delrem]

4. "...whether and when it might strike Tehran in self-defense"

These jokers have pre-defined any attack, anytime, as "self-defense".
This is the country that destroyed Iraq on the pretext of "self-defense".

The US and Israel have been threatening Iran with military action for over a decade.

ah, fuggit. Anyone who pretends they can't see what's going on is part of it.

[King_David]

7. George "you're either with us, or against us" Bush. nt