Benjamin Netanyahu and Chuck Hagel in Jerusalem on Friday. Photo: Israel Hayom video screenshot.

JNS.org – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel discussed the Iranian nuclear program in public comments on Friday in Jerusalem.

“I wasn’t surprised and I’m sure you weren’t surprised by the recent U.N. report on Iran’s ongoing efforts to deceive the international community, to continue to develop ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) and to continue to violate its commitments of Security Council stipulations on forbidding it to develop certain parts of its nuclear program,” Netanyahu said.

“I think that requires a very clear and firm policy on the part of the world powers,” said the prime minister. He added that in the ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, “one thing must guide the international community: we must not let the ayatollahs win.”

Hagel said, “I want to assure you, the people of Israel, of the United States’ continued commitment to ensuring Iran does not get a nuclear weapon. America will do what we must to live up to that commitment.”