Washington, February 15: The chairman of the US military's Joint Chiefs of Staff has stated that any attack on Iran's nuclear facilities could have 'unintended consequences' throughout the Middle East region.
“Of course, there are limits and this (military strike) option is on the table, but we are not there yet,” Admiral Mike Mullen said during a press briefing at the US embassy in Tel Aviv on Sunday.
He emphasized that US officials believe it is important to allow time for diplomacy and international pressure to work before they begin looking into military options.
Asked whether the United States would prevent Israel from attacking Iran, Mullen said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi made it clear to him that Israel backs the US administration's policy vis-à-vis Iran, adding that Washington is committed to Israel's security.
However, Tehran has made it clear that Israel will pay dearly for any adventurism targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The United States, Israel, and some of their allies have accused Iran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear program.
Yet, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology meant for peaceful purposes.
In addition, the IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities but has never found any evidence showing that Iran's civilian nuclear program has been diverted to nuclear weapons production.
But Israel possesses a nuclear arsenal of at least 250 warheads, has never signed the NPT, and has never allowed IAEA inspections of all its nuclear facilities.
-------Agencies
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