(American Forces Press Service-U.S. Defense Department) Donna Miles - Just back from a trip to the Middle East, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Monday cited widespread concern about Iran's nuclear program, but emphasized the importance of diplomatic and economic pressure, rather than military action, to stem it. Mullen cited concern about Iran as an overarching theme during his recent visit to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. All share the U.S. belief that Iran's nuclear program is headed on a path to achieve weaponization - a pursuit Mullen said further destabilizes the region. "Like us, it isn't just a nuclear-capable Iranian military our friends worry about," he said. "It's an Iran with hegemonic ambitions and a desire to dominate its neighbors. This outcome drives many of the national security decisions our partners there are making, and I believe we must be mindful of that as we look to the future, post-Iraq and post-Afghanistan."
2010-02-23 08:09:51Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive