U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has said the United States and Israel both see "exactly the same" threat from Iran's nuclear program.
Hagel made the statement before arriving in Tel Aviv on April 21 for the first leg of his first trip to the Middle East since taking over at the Pentagon in February.
Hagel also said that a multi-billion-dollar arms deal between the United States and Israel sends "a very clear signal" to Tehran that a possible military strike against Iran remains an option.
The deal includes missiles designed to take out air-defense systems, advanced radar for fighter jets, aerial refueling tankers, and Osprey V-22 transport aircraft.
Hagel's six-day trip to the region will include stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Hagel made the statement before arriving in Tel Aviv on April 21 for the first leg of his first trip to the Middle East since taking over at the Pentagon in February.
Hagel also said that a multi-billion-dollar arms deal between the United States and Israel sends "a very clear signal" to Tehran that a possible military strike against Iran remains an option.
The deal includes missiles designed to take out air-defense systems, advanced radar for fighter jets, aerial refueling tankers, and Osprey V-22 transport aircraft.
Hagel's six-day trip to the region will include stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.