Hagel: U.S.-Israel Arms Deal Sends 'Clear Signal' to Iran

A major U.S. arms deal with Israel sends a "very clear signal" to Tehran that military action remains an option to stop it from going nuclear, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters on Sunday.

Asked if a multi-billion dollar arms package with Israel was designed to convey a message that a military strike remains an option, he said: "I don't think there's any question that's another very clear signal to Iran."

Hagel was speaking just before his plane touched down in Tel Aviv at the start of a six-day tour of the region focused on plans to sell $10 billion worth of advanced missiles and aircraft to Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in a bid to counter the threat posed by Iran.

The deal will see Israel obtaining anti-radiation missiles designed to take out enemy air defenses, radar for fighter jets, aerial refueling tankers and Osprey V-22 tilt-rotor transport aircraft.

It will also see the sale of U.S. F-16 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates and sophisticated missiles to Saudi Arabia.

Details were unveiled on the eve of Hagel's departure on a trip which will focus heavily on tensions over Iran's nuclear program and the civil war raging in Syria.

American and Israeli leaders have been at odds over Iran, with President Barack Obama's administration arguing that tough sanctions and diplomacy need to be given more time to work.

But Israel, believed to be the Middle East's sole if undeclared nuclear power, has repeatedly warned that time is running out and has refused to rule out a pre-emptive military strike to prevent Iran from obtaining an atomic weapons capability.

Hagel plans to discuss with his counterparts in the region the final details of the arms deal, and U.S. officials have said it would be months or more for the new weapons and aircraft to be delivered.

Last week, Israel's Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz said the Israel Defense Forces was capable of attacking Iran on its own without U.S. support.

Hagel declined to be drawn on suggestions the Jewish state could act alone, only saying Israel was a sovereign nation which had "the right to defend itself, to protect itself.”

And he said more time was needed to see if sanctions and diplomacy would convince Iran to change its course.

"I think our policy is the correct policy. Israel has every right to make its own assessments," he said, adding the two allies were "working very closely.”

During the visit, Hagel will hold talks with his Israeli counterpart Moshe Yaalon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres before leaving for Jordan on Tuesday afternoon.

He will also visit Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia where he will discuss the final details of the arms deal, although U.S. officials say it could be months or more for the new weapons and aircraft to be delivered.