US to prevent Iran from acquiring nukes: Obama's Pentagon pick

WASHINGTON: Vietnam War veteran Chuck Hagel, US President Barack Obama's nominee for Defense Secretary, today assured American lawmakers that he would prevent Iran from going nuclear and "all options must be on the table" to achieve that goal.

"I am fully committed to the President's goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and - as I've said in the past - all options must be on the table to achieve that goal.

My policy is one of prevention, and not one of containment - and the President has made clear that is the policy of our government," Hagel said during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"As Secretary of Defense, I will make sure the Department is prepared for any contingency. I will ensure our friend and ally Israel maintains its Qualitative Military Edge in the region and will continue to support systems like Iron Dome, which is today saving Israeli lives from terrorist rocket attacks," he said.

If confirmed, Hagel would be the first former enlisted man and the first veteran of the Vietnam War to serve as Secretary of Defense.

As the US is rebalancing its resources towards the Asia-Pacific region, Hagel said the Pentagon is in the process of modernizing its defense posture across the entire region to defend and deepen partnerships with traditional allies, especially Japan, South Korea and Australia.

The US will to continue to deter and defend against provocations from states like North Korea, as well as non-state actors, he added.

The US, he said, would work to expand its networks of security cooperation throughout the region to combat terrorism, counter proliferation, provide disaster relief, fight piracy, and ensure maritime security.

The US Defense Secretary nominee told lawmakers that the US will continue to focus on challenges in the Middle East and North Africa, where they have clear national interests.

"Rather, it is a recognition that the United States has been and always will be a Pacific power, and the Asia-Pacific is an increasingly vital part of the globe for America's security and economy. That's why we must become even more engaged in the region over the coming years," he said.

Hagel said post 2014, the US forces in Afghanistan would have two role - counterterrorism and training.

"We have a plan in place to transition out of Afghanistan, continue bringing our troops home, and end the war there - which has been the longest war in America's history. As you know, discussions are ongoing about what the US presence in Afghanistan will look like after 2014," he said.