Hagel: Israel, U.S. see same threat from Iran

• Defense secretary says military action against Iran can%27t be ruled out
• He says Israel has the right to defend itself
• U.S. remains concerned about a unilateral strike by Israeli on Iran

TEL AVIV -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Sunday stressed the U.S. commitment to Israel's defense against Iran as he embarked on week-long trip to the Middle East.

Hagel's visit will highlight the proposed $10 billion sale to Israel and Arab allies of sophisticated U.S. jets, missiles and radar meant to counter Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon.

"The bottom line is that Iran is a threat, a real threat," Hagel told reporters traveling with him. "The United States' policy is very clear: The Iranians must be prevented from developing that capacity."

Hagel, whose confirmation as Defense secretary was held up in February by Republicans who accused him of not being staunch enough in his support of Israel, said military action against Iran can't be ruled out. However, he added that economic sanctions appear to have hurt Iran and there is still time to reach a political agreement with Iran to end its nuclear ambitions.

Israel, he said, has the right to defend itself and the weapons being offered, including refueling aircraft and missiles to attack air defenses, could be needed for an assault on Iran's nuclear facilities.

However, the U.S. remains concerned about the unintended consequences of a unilateral strike by Israel on Iran, according to a senior Pentagon official who was not authorized to speak on the record about the issue. It's unclear whether such an attack would be the final action needed to deal with Iran's nuclear program, the official said.

The sale of advanced weapons and Hagel's two-day visit should help ease Israeli concerns about its U.S. partner, said Aaron David Miller, vice president at the Woodrow Wilson Center and a former U.S. Middle East negotiator in Republican and Democratic administrations.

''The secretary of Defense reassures the Israelis by selling equipment they haven't been able to get in the past," Miller said.

Hagel also addressed the Boston Marathon bombings, saying he'd been reading intently about the capture of the second suspect Friday night. So far, there has been no indication that the suspects were part of a broader terrorist conspiracy, he said.

"I have not seen any intelligence that would make such a link," Hagel said. "But as you know, all of the facts are not in."