The commander of the Air Force's Strategic Command warned Tuesday during a senate armed services committee hearing that the east coast of the United States is susceptible to an attack.
General Robert Kehler told the senators that the United States is prepared for "limited" attacks from North Korea or Iran but that missile defense is not in an "optimum posture" while responding to questions from Senator James Inhofe (R., OK).
North Korea detonated its third nuclear bomb last month and has made recent threats to both the United States and South Korea, including ending the peace armistice established after the Korean war.
During his first overseas visit since becoming secretary of state, John Kerry admitted that Iran is moving closer to possessing a nuclear weapon despite sanctions it is facing that are meant to slow down the program.