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Purveyor

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1. Chuck Hagel: Arms Deal Sending 'Clear Signal' To Iran Over Nuclear Programme

Sun Apr 21, 2013, 02:32 PM

Apr 2013

US defence secretary Chuck Hagel said on Sunday a $10bn arms deal under discussion with Washington's Arab and Israeli allies sent a "very clear signal" to Tehran the military option remains on the table over its nuclear programme.

"The bottom line is that Iran is a threat, a real threat," said Hagel, who arrived in Israel on Sunday on his first visit to Israel as defence secretary.

"The Iranians must be prevented from developing that capacity to build a nuclear weapon and deliver it," he told reporters on his plane.

The first stop on Hagel's week-long Middle East trip came two days after the Pentagon said it was finalising a weapons deal to strengthen the militaries of Israel and two of Iran's key rivals – Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The deal includes the sale of KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers, anti-air defence missiles and tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey troop transport planes to Israel as well as the sale of 25 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets to the UAE.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/21/chuck-hagel-israel-iran-arms-deal

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Hagel: Israel Has Right To Decide On Iran Strike [View all] Purveyor Apr 2013 OP

Chuck Hagel: Arms Deal Sending 'Clear Signal' To Iran Over Nuclear Programme Purveyor Apr 2013 #1

Preventative war is always wrong. earthside Apr 2013 #2

This is the administration's position--and John Kerry's, too, you left him out for some reason. TwilightGardener Apr 2013 #7

Thanks. earthside Apr 2013 #10

I can't see us leaving this situation get to the point that we are at with North Korea-- TwilightGardener Apr 2013 #11

If he's selling them V-22 Osprey's Fuddnik Apr 2013 #3

I hate this political timdog44 Apr 2013 #4

"No sound strategic energy planning would prioritize nuclear energy in a country like Iran" bananas Apr 2013 #5

Not sure how to answer. timdog44 Apr 2013 #21

Lets clear, about the theory John2 Apr 2013 #16

It is obvious that many timdog44 Apr 2013 #20

Ahhh NO. Israel is bound by international law just like everyone else, and there is no justification on point Apr 2013 #6

Israel has the right to decide for itself, though Scootaloo Apr 2013 #12

Yes, everyone is entitled to decide for themselves if they wish to commit a crime on point Apr 2013 #25

Does our leadership dwilso40641 Apr 2013 #8

yes Israel has the right to self defense azurnoir Apr 2013 #9

At this point... ocpagu Apr 2013 #13

True that but Israel seems to feel differently azurnoir Apr 2013 #14

The fact that Israel John2 Apr 2013 #18

oh I kind of hate this but azurnoir Apr 2013 #19

And the US has tghe right to not join the battle. nt kelliekat44 Apr 2013 #15

after what those people did at the Boston Marathon - they deserve to be bombed by Israel and America Douglas Carpenter Apr 2013 #17

That is NOT what Hagel said. Ash_F Apr 2013 #22

And the US has a right to cut off military aid to Israel if they try to start another mid east war. McCamy Taylor Apr 2013 #23

Do the same rights of self defense apply to Iran as well? mazzarro Apr 2013 #24