Politics

Inhofe to Hagel: ‘Why do you think the Iranian foreign ministry so strongly supports your nomination?’ [VIDEO]

Jamie Weinstein Senior Writer
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Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe did not hold back in his questioning of former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel during Hagel’s confirmation hearings to be secretary of defense Thursday.

After first rambling through most of his questions, Inhofe, the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, listed off a series of anti-American and anti-Israeli statements by Iranian leaders.

He then pointedly asked, “The question I would like to ask you and you can answer it for the record if you like: Why do you think the Iranian foreign ministry so strongly supports your nomination to be secretary of defense?”

“I have a difficult enough time with American politics, senator,” Hagel responded. “I have no idea.”

With his question, Inhofe was most likely referring to a statement from an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman earlier this month saying Iran was hopeful that Hagel’s nomination would bring positive changes to American policy toward the Islamic Republic.

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