Military Adventures Against Tehran Could Have Unintended Consequences

Jan. 08, 10 (Hamsayeh.Net) - The top US military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff speaking in a gathering at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a distinguished US think-tank, said any military attacks to thwart Iran’s nuclear development will be ‘very, very destabilizing with unintended consequences to follow.’

 

‘I think that outcome (of a nuclear Iran) is potentially a very, very destabilizing outcome ... on the other hand, when asked about striking Iran, specifically, that also has a very, very destabilizing outcome,’ Mullen explained. He also said that he was real worried about unintended consequences of either scenario leading to increased instabilities for the region and the entire world.

 

The top officer believed Iran was well on its way building a nuclear deterrence when said that Tehran follows on a path that has strategic intent to develop nuclear weapons and have been for some time.’  Iran however denies the charge and maintains its domestic nuclear program is peaceful.

 

The US Admiral said despite US forces’ involvements in various parts of the world including the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, he was confident about US’ military capabilities for further confrontations perhaps against Iran. ‘We have certainly focused on Iran for a long time and recognize ... what the potential could be,’ Mullen said, adding he was ‘very comfortable’ with U.S. capabilities.

 

Mullen added that it was important to negotiate with Tehran and come up with a diplomatic solution the nuclear issue. ‘One of the things that I think is so important is that we continue internationally, diplomatically, politically -- not just 'we' the United States but the international community, continue to focus on this to prevent those two outcomes,’ he said.