'Military option' still possible

US defense secretary takes trip to Middle East to smooth ruffled feathers of regional allies

The Iran nuclear deal does not mean military action is off the table when it comes to stopping Teheran from obtaining an atomic bomb, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Sunday ahead of a visit to Israel.

"One of the reasons why this deal is a good one is that it does nothing to prevent the military option," Carter told reporters aboard his flight to Tel Aviv, the first stop on a Middle East charm offensive to ease concerns among US allies over the landmark accord.