Mullen: Last-resort Iran fight could be done

[unhappycamper]

Mullen: Last-resort Iran fight could be done
By Lolita C. Baldor - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 19, 2007 18:20:13 EDT

While military action against Iran would be is a last resort, the U.S. has the resources to attack if needed despite the strains of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the top U.S. military officer said.

Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the focus now is on diplomacy to stem Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions and its support for insurgents in Iraq.

But, he told reporters, “there is more than enough reserve to respond if that, in fact, is what the national leadership wanted to do.”

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons could set off an arms race in the Middle East.

“The risk of an accident or a miscalculation or of those weapons or materials falling into the hands of terrorists seem to me to be substantially increased,” he said.

Appearing together before reporters for the first time since Mullen became chairman Oct. 1, the two expressed unease about Iran and Turkey, hot spots commanding attention even as the military focuses on the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_mulleniran_071019/



uhc comment: Same article, Iraned up Army version headline --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=5548