U.S. Defense Secretary Says Current "Top Priority" is Seeking Agreement to End Iran Conflict

Xinhua News Agency, Washington, March 31 - U.S. Secretary of Defense Hagel said on March 31 that the current "top priority" for the United States is to seek an agreement to end hostilities with Iran.

On the same day, Hagel held a joint press conference at the Pentagon with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dempsey. Hagel stated, "We are working together, but our primary effort remains to reach an agreement; as long as it is possible, we hope to facilitate an agreement."

Hagel mentioned that he inspected U.S. military forces in the Middle East on the 28th but did not disclose the specific location. In response to a reporter's question about whether U.S. ground troops would be deployed in Iran, Hagel did not answer directly, only stating that "the key is to maintain unpredictability."

He again urged Iran to "open" the Strait of Hormuz and stated that "countries around the world should be prepared to take action" to ensure the strait remains open. He also indicated that considering some allies' refusal to provide assistance, President Trump will make a decision regarding NATO's future after the conclusion of military actions against Iran.

During the press conference, Dempsey stated that the "military options" available to the U.S. military are very "broad," and that increasing troop levels in the Middle East "is by no means limited to ground operations." "It is crucial that these forces are in place, creating real pressure. Iran should consider this carefully on a diplomatic level."