Pentagon Deputy Candidate: Iran Should Not Have Nuclear Weapons

Elbridge Colby, Donald Trump's nominee for Deputy Secretary of Defense, referred to the Iranian government as a 'malignant regime' during a Senate hearing and deemed its nuclearization a threat to the existence of the United States. On Tuesday, March 5, Colby, in support of Trump's maximum pressure policy against the Islamic Republic, stated that the U.S. should not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons. Colby, who participated in the Senate evaluation session for his appointment as Deputy Policy Secretary of Defense, mentioned the 'intelligent' use of U.S. capabilities in the region and strengthening the capabilities of U.S. regional allies, including Arab countries, European allies, and especially Israel, as strategies to counter the threats posed by the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups. This former official of Trump's first administration called Israel a 'model ally' of the U.S. and emphasized the need for comprehensive support from Washington for Israel. In part of his remarks, Colby described Israel's military response to attacks from the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah, a group supported by the Iranian government, as 'effective, powerful, and intelligent,' viewing it as a means to strengthen the U.S. position. He also referred to the success of the 'Abraham Accords,' established during Trump's first term, as part of the strategy to counter the 'hegemonic ambitions' of the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups in the region. According to Colby, the U.S. can enhance the capabilities of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in the defense sector within the framework of the 'Abraham Accords.' The day before, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met and considered the Islamic Republic of Iran a threat to Middle Eastern security, agreeing on U.S.-Israeli cooperation to address this challenge. Hegseth noted on February 6 during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States, under Trump's leadership, would 'stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel to pursue peace through strength.'