US ‘extremely concerned’ over Iran
Head of Joint Chiefs of Staff says US wants to deter Iran but seeks “peaceful outcome”.
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His remarks echo those of Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, who said this week that he favoured avoiding the military option against Iran while warning that Tehran was “hell-bent” on acquiring nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, said his country was ready to discuss its nuclear programme with any country, but would not yield to international pressure to halt the project.
Iran differences
Speculation had increased since Admiral William Fallon, the US military commander in charge of Middle East operations, resigned over reported differences with Bush over Iran, differences the White House denied.
US military power |
The US military has troops in over 800 locations around the world and in 70 per cent of countries
1.6 million troops available for active duty in the US and abroad
546,000 troops in total deployed around the globe
Biggest single deployment is in Iraq with 161,000
In Europe, more than 57,000 are in Germany and more than 9,800 in the UK
Ecuador hosts the only US military base in Latin America
Sub-Saharan Africa becoming a greater focus for deployment with more than 2,400 troops stationed across region
Source: Pentagon |
Gates announced this week that he had nominated General David Petraeus, the highest US commander in Iraq, to take over as head of US Central Command from Fallon.
On Iraq, Mullen called on Iraqi leaders to “step forward” and take advantage of the reported decline in violence there.
He refused, however, to commit to a date for a significant withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.