Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tours Tehran’s research reactor center on Feb. 15, 2012. (Associated Press/Iranian President’s Office)Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta on Thursday reiterated the Pentagon’s limits for Iran’s nuclear program and the Islamic republic’s aggression in the Persian Gulf during a House Appropriations Committee hearing.
“We will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon,” Mr. Panetta told lawmakers.
“Iran needs to take steps to ensure that that does not happen, they do not develop that kind of nuclear capability,” he added.
His comments came a day after Iran announced new achievements in creating nuclear rods and mastering atomic chain reactions.
Mr. Panetta said that current intelligence does not show that Iran has begun to develop a nuclear weapon, but that it continues to develop its enrichment capabilities.
He also said the U.S. would not allow Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil is transported, and that diplomatic and economic sanctions against Iran’s oil sector are having an impact.
“Iran is increasingly isolated in the world,” the defense chief said. “We are open, obviously, to negotiating with them, to try to find a diplomatic solution to these issues.”
However, “we do keep all options on the table in case any red lines are crossed,” he said.
© Copyright 2012 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Kristina Wong is a national security reporter for The Washington Times, covering defense, foreign policy and intelligence affairs. She can be reached at kwong@washingtontimes.com.
By Dean Clancy
Budget voters are first chapter in victory over eternal budget deficits
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Joplin marks anniversary of tornado
15 Photos
Plebes climb Herndon Monument
21 Photos
Redskins hold first OTA
19 Photos
Air show thrills all
9 Photos
'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse
16 Photos
Hot rod Mom
7 Photos
