Hagel reportedly says strike should be an option with Iran

Former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (right) walks past U.S. President Barack Obama (left) after Obama announced the nomination of Hagel to be his new Secretary of Defense, at the White House in Washington on Jan. 7. Photo by REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Military action should be an option with Iran, Chuck Hagel reportedly told top U.S. defense officials.

Hagel, a former Republican senator from Nebraska and President Obama's pick for defense secretary, may face tough nomination hearings in part because of past skepticism of unilateral Iran sanctions and his wariness about going to war with Iran.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Hagel met with top defense officials since his nomination Monday and assured them that he believes all options, including a military strike, should be on the table in the effort to have Iran desist from its suspected nuclear weapons program.