Mullen: U.S. Has Resources To Attack Iran

Joint Chiefs Chair Says Military Action Is Last Resort, But Could Be Done If Ordered

(AP)  While military action against Iran 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 Thursday.

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

But, he told reporters, "there is more than enough reserve to respond (militarily) 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 of 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 on Oct. 1, they expressed concern about Iran and Turkey - hot spots commanding attention even as the military focuses on the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Both leaders warned of serious repercussions if Congress were to pass a nonbinding resolution labeling as genocide the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians in the final years of the Ottoman Empire, around World War I.

"I don't think the Turks are bluffing. I think it is that meaningful to them," Gates said. "I think there is a very real risk of perhaps not shutting us down" in terms of access to Turkish airspace for resupplying U.S. troops in Iraq, but of at least restricting it.

"I will say again it has potential to do real harm to our troops in Iraq and would strain - perhaps beyond repair - our relationship with a key ally in a vital region and in the wider war on terror," the Pentagon chief said.

At the same time, Gates said the U.S. and the Iraqis are "prepared to do the appropriate thing" in acting against the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, that has conducted raids into Turkey from northern Iraq.

The Turks have expressed frustration about the lack of action by the U.S. against the group. Gates attributed that largely to a lack of specific intelligence.

The Turkish parliament this week authorized the government to send troops across the border to go after the Kurdish rebels, despite repeated pleas from Washington to focus on diplomatic efforts.

Gates also said he believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about trying to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis over Iran's nuclear program.

"President Putin takes Iran seriously as a security concern for Russia, and I think they are prepared to take some actions as befits that," Gates said.

Mullen said the U.S. military is working hard to stem the flow from Iran into Afghanistan of high-tech materials for roadside bombs. The military has said that parts from the armor-piercing bombs, which have killed hundreds of troops in Iraq, are now getting into Afghanistan.

Mullen said he is not aware of any high-level Iranian government connection to the weapons in Afghanistan, although officials have said that is a concern in Iraq.

At a separate Pentagon news conference, Afghanistan's defense chief, Abdul Rahim Wardak, told reporters that his government recently obtained evidence that Iranian weapons are entering his country.

He said he raised the matter with Iranian officials last month and they denied any involvement.

Also Thursday, Gates said the private security guards in Iraq - such as those who killed a number of Iraqi citizens - may be hurting the U.S. military's effort to stabilize the country.

The military and the contractors, he said, have conflicting missions. While the contractors are trying to keep alive those people being guarded, the military is striving to improve relations with the Iraqis and solidify the government.

"There have been instances where, to put it mildly, the Iraqis have been offended and not treated properly" by the private guards, Gates said. "So those kinds of activities work at cross-purposes to our larger mission in Iraq."

Gates said he plans to confer with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about tighter controls over the contractors.

[prinzowhales]

Are these jerks just trying to keep the price of oil up by banging the war drum?

Posted by micma at 10:40 AM : Oct 19, 2007
------------

Yes!...and for more appropriations for DoD--the bottomless trough from which Halliburton and Blackwater feed....They''ve restarted the Cold War with Russia...invaded two innocent lands and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent human beings...

Troops Home Now! The enemy is in Washington! Down with the Washington Regime!

[abbe91]

Which US building are they going to pull down this time, to get a pretext to attack Iran ?
Mullen sounds like the new Lyman Lemnitzer.

[realpatriot1]

All those calling for an invasion of Iran should show up at the recruiting office on Monday morning.

Make sure you take a change of underwear, it''s going to take more than a few weeks and they won''t be greeting us with chocolates and roses.

The Russians and the Chinese won''t sit idly by either.

Since we outed Brewster & Jennings the CIA hasn''t a clue as to what to target so let''s hopw we don''t take out any milk factories with tactical nukes.

The Cambodia model worked so well at containing the war in Vietnam that it would be truly brilliant to repeat that strategy in the tinderbox of the middle east.

You folks prove the addage that beauty fades but dumb is forever.

[forthepeopl1]

BUSH/CHENEY WILL START WW111 no dout about it, you will see it in the next few month, than after it starts he will delcare a state of emergancey to stay as king

Iran is capable of firing 11,000 rockets into enemy bases within the first minute after any possible attack, state-run television quoted a top Revolutionary Guards Corps commander as saying Saturday.

Gen. Mahmoud Chaharbaghi, the missile commander of the Guards, said Iran has identified all enemy positions and was prepared to respond in less than a minute to any possible attack.

"Enemy bases and positions have been identified. ... The Guards ground force will fire 11,000 rockets into identified enemy positions within the first minute of any aggression against the Iranian territory," the television quoted Chaharbaghi as saying.

Chaharbaghi did not specifically identify the bases or the enemy and did not refer to arch foes Israel or the United States by name. But the U.S. has 40,000 troops on various U.S. bases in other Persian Gulf countries and 20,000 in Mideast waters. Another 160,000 U.S. troops are in neighboring Iraq and about 25,000 are in another one of Iran''s neighbors, Afghanistan.

[tbweb]

I don''t think any nation can defeat the United States when the United States is at full strength. But many nations have a punchers chance if the United States is weak! Have you ever seen a Pro Boxing match when even a good Boxer gets hit good and hard, is dizzy, wobbly, off balance and vulnerable? Good Boxers will dance away, clear their head, regain their strength and stay out of harms way until they do. Dumb Boxers will try to fight hurt, keep pressing the action and get knocked out, because for that split moment in time they are not at full strength and vulnerable! Because the United States is fighting 2 Wars on 2 fronts in Afghanistan and Iraq with little support from allies and even Americans, the United States is weak, too weak to start a third War in my view. U.S. enemies want to pick a fight "NOW" because they have a punchers chance at winning against a weak U.S. The United States needs to dance away, get strong, regain its strength and not get suckered into a third War right now, especially since Iran is a while from a nuclear bomb, there is no need to rush to War with Iran even if it is inevitable.

[Krazcarl]

rickstas...go suck on manure you troll your about as foreign as as a maple tree troll did your parents have any children that weren''t mentally challenged

[rickstas]

Shame on the American people for electing an imbecile -- twice!!!!

[photogeezer]

There are resources enough to go to war with Iran - all the young men and women in every college and trade school, our children and grandchildren. Those who have sat idly by and watched other people''s kids go off to multiple combat tours may finally have a chance to put up or remain good silent little mindless comsumers.
This administration has been telling us this "war on terror" is tantamount to WWII in importance, while shielding their own kids from serving.

Think this country is torn down the middle now? Institute the draft for another unnecessary war, and you''ll see it ripped down the middle like a cheap suit.

[Krazcarl]

I smell a draft theres no way around it were in deep do do and lets get honest take out Iran the war would be over in days maybe weeks but that is where our enemies are getting there weapons. But on the other hand could just be scare tactics to ensure diplomacy.

[liberalme]

And mudrose--
BUSH is doing all he can to get another war going---he has challenged, taunted and all but jumped up and down daring Iran and China!!

If he shut his evil mount, perhaps things would calm down---but noooooooooo the Wizard has to keep stirring the pot!!!! Jerk!