US appeals to NATO allies to publicly denounce Iran's actions
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper appealed to NATO allies on Thursday to publicly denounce Iran's hostile actions and consider participating in a still-evolving plan to better safeguard strategic waterways near the country.
Esper also called for help moving tensions with Iran from a military track, including Iran's downing of a U.S. drone last week, to a diplomatic track.
"We do not seek armed conflict with Iran but we are ready to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region. No one should mistake restraint for weakness," Esper told reporters, recounting his closed-door discussions at NATOheadquarters.
