Mullen: Iran Strike would be Very Destabilizing

Source: almanar.com.lb, 08-07-2009 

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Tuesday that a military strike to thwart Iran's nuclear weapons capability remains on the table but could have grave consequences and would be "very destabilizing,"

"I worry a great deal about the response of a country that gets struck," said Mullen. "It is a really important place to not go, if we cannot go there in any way, shape or form."

Mullen said President Barack Obama's diplomatic outreach to Iran holds promise. He pointedly said "the strike option" - is one possible outcome. He suggested that a strike, meaning missile or other attacks "to blow up Iran's known nuclear facilities, is a last resort." It would be "very destabilizing," Mullen said.

Mullen was referring to Iran's response should it be attacked by either the United States or Israel, although he was careful to say that "Israel" can speak and choose for itself. His remarks made clear that the Obama administration wants to avoid a strike by either country.

Mullen, speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said it is critical to find a solution "before Iran gets a nuclear capability, or that anyone ... would take action to strike." Iran does not deny having a nuclear program but it insists it is only for peaceful purpose and not a nuclear weapons program as the west accuse.

On Sunday, Vice President Joe Biden had suggested that the new U.S. administration would not stand in the way of an "Israeli" strike. That is not the message U.S. officials have been trying to deliver in public and private, but spokesmen insisted Biden was not speaking out of turn.

The leaders of Group of Eight countries, set to meet in Italy, have yet to forge a common position on "Iran's violent crackdown on post-electoral protests", Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Tuesday on the eve of the summit.

Berlusconi, who chairs the gathering of world leaders opening Wednesday, noted that some countries, such as France, were calling for tougher action against Tehran, while others, such as Russia, favored a softer stance to keep dialogue open.