President Trump’s nominee for Pentagon chief told Congress that he agrees with former defense secretary Robert Gates that war with Iran would be a “catastrophe” and that Washington’s dispute with Tehran needs to be resolved through diplomacy.
“We do not want war with Iran. We are not seeking war with Iran. We need to get back on the diplomatic channel,” Mark Esper testified Tuesday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Questioned by ranking Democrat Jack Reed about how he would avoid escalation that could lead to armed conflict, Esper said he would continue plans to beef up U.S. patrols in the Persian Gulf region to deter Iran and head off confrontations that could result in miscalculation.
Esper said he would soon brief committee members on a plan called Operation Sentinel, which would involve what Esper called “passive patrols” in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf.
“At the same time, from the highest levels of government, from the president himself, we said we will meet anytime, anywhere without precondition to discuss with the Iranians to get us on the diplomatic path,” Esper said.
Esper stepped aside from serving as acting defense secretary Monday and returned to his position as Army secretary, pending his confirmation by the Senate. Until then, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer is serving as acting secretary.
