Mullen: A Military Strike against Iran is Destabilizing, “Israel” is Aware

Local Editor

After his visit to Tel Aviv, where he met with his "Israeli" military counterpart to discuss Iran's nuclear issue, US Navy Admiral Michael Mullen said that a military strike against Iran would be "incredibly destabilizing" to the region, and that he believed U.S. ally "Israel" understands that, "Israeli" Haaretz reported.

Speaking on Monday at the Aspen Security Forum, a Washington based institute to discuss critical issues, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff claimed it would be "incredibly dangerous" for Iran to achieve nuclear weapons.

He said he believes Iran will continue to pursue nuclear weapons, even if sanctions against the country are increased, claiming that there's "no reason to trust" Iran's assurances that it is only pursuing a peaceful nuclear program.

He explained that the hardest part for US to take measures against Iran is the US unawareness about Iran's nuclear progress.

UN Security Council approved new US-drafted sanctions against Iran earlier this month.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad responded to them saying these sanctions should be "thrown in the dust bin."

Iran assured regularly that it does not have the intention to produce nuclear weapons and is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a treaty to limit the spread of nuclear weapons, while the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China are recognized are nuclear weapon states.

"Israel" on its part who refused to sign the NPT, is widely believed to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East, with around 200 warheads, but maintained a policy of opacity regarding its own nuclear weapons program.