Panetta touts US-Israeli cooperation in meeting with Peres

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said military cooperation between his country and Israel is “stronger than ever, stable and will continue” at a meeting with President Shimon Peres at the Pentagon on Monday.   America’s commitment to Israeli security is “rock-solid,” the defense secretary added.

President Peres stressed to Panetta the importance of preventing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “Iran is the only country with imperialist ambitions in the name of religion,” he said. “No responsible country in the world can accept a situation where the Middle-East will be a victim of Iranian hegemony.”

Peres emphasized that time is running out for a solution to the issue via  diplomacy and sanctions, saying Iran was in an “accelerated race” to build a nuclear bomb, and praised the US’s commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

A US Department of Defense statement said the two men discussed “US commitment to preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge,” among other matters of mutual concern, including the ongoing situation in Syria.

The president arrived in the United States on Sunday for a state visit, during which he will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.

Panetta, commenting on the award, said that it is a “fitting recognition of your life’s work — promoting peace, human dignity and freedom. These core values ​​are at the heart of relations between Israel and the United States. We admire your commitment to these values ​​and admire your commitment to our relationship.”

Peres is also scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.