Gates says war with Iran would be “disastrous” but military option still open
Washington, 28 July (IranVNC)—US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates believes that war with Iran would be “disastrous” for the United States, but that Washington should leave open the option of a military strike.
By: IranVNC
Published: Monday, July 28, 2008
15:00GMT—11:00AM/EST
US – IRAN – NUCLEAR – WAR
Washington, 28 July (IranVNC)—US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates believes that war with Iran would be “disastrous” for the United States, but that Washington should leave open the option of a military strike.
“Another war in the Middle East is the last thing we need. In fact, I believe it would be disastrous on a number of levels,” Gates wrote in the latest issue of the US Army War College Quarterly, Parameters, noting that US troops are already involved in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But he cautioned: “The military option must be kept on the table, given the destabilizing policies of the regime and the risks inherent in a future Iranian nuclear threat, either directly or through nuclear proliferation.”
Washington accuses Tehran of trying to acquire the capabilities to build a nuclear bomb, but Iran dismisses the charges, saying its nuclear program is aimed at generating civilian nuclear power.
The U.S. has also designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, accusing the Islamic Republic of funding and arming Shiite militias in Iraq, Palestinian militants and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
In his article, entitled “Reflections on Leadership,” Gates wrote that one principle of war – “never fight unless you have to” – is surrounding debates in the U.S. on how to deal with “rogue nations like Iran that support terrorism”.
Gates also described Iran as a “destabilizing force” in the Middle East that is “hell-bent on acquiring nuclear weapons”.
US officials have played down the possibility of a military strike on Iran and have said they are committed to a diplomatic path, along with other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany, to persuade Tehran to suspend its sensitive uranium enrichment work.
Last month, the six powers offered Iran a package of incentives in exchange for a halt to that country’s uranium enrichment program.
But Iranian officials have refused to suspend the uranium enrichment work, calling the issue a “red line” that the West should not cross.
Source: Parameters (US Army War College Quarterly – Summer 2008)
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