U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Visits U.S. Allies In The Middle East

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel delivers closing remarks during the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council defense ministerial conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2014. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Hagel Assures Gulf Allies of Continued U.S. Military Presence -- WSJ

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia--U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies on Wednesday that the U.S. would maintain its military presence in the region to deter Iran even if negotiations to curb its nuclear program are successful.

Negotiators will begin drafting terms of a final agreement on the future of Tehran's nuclear program this week in Vienna. A deal would end a decade-long standoff between Tehran and the West and put into place greater assurances that Iran won't be able to build a bomb, in return for a major easing of Western sanctions.

The U.S. pulled its troops out of Iraq and has sought to shift its focus to Asia, unnerving Gulf states worried about Iran's regional ambitions.

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