Hagel to Israel: US will do whatever necessary to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapon

JERUSALEM – U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is pledging to Israeli leaders that the United States will do whatever it takes to prevent the Jewish state's greatest fear: a nuclear-armed Iran.

Hagel made the public pledge in a statement at talks Friday in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Both men spoke of the disputed Iranian nuclear program, which is the topic of negotiations this week in Vienna between Western powers and Iran.

Netanyahu said in a statement while standing beside Hagel that Iran is trying to "pull the wool over the eyes" of the international community by pretending to negotiate while pressing ahead with elements of its missile and nuclear programs.