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Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (AP) Last update - 20:36 20/05/2008 Top U.S. military officer says Iran jeopardizing peace in Iraq By The Associated Press Tags: al-Qaida, Iran, Iraq  The top uniformed U.S. military officer told Congress Tuesday that Iran is directly jeopardizing peace in Iraq, prompting fresh calls from senators that the U.S. pursue diplomatic talks with Tehran. Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that irresponsible actions by Iran's Revolutionary Guard directly jeopardize peace in Iraq. Advertisement "Restraint in our response does not signal lack of resolve or capability to defend ourselves against threats," Mullen told the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. Sen. Arlen Specter, a member of the panel, said he is most concerned about the Bush administration's refusal to fully engage Iran in diplomatic discussions. U.S. diplomats have met with Iranian officials as part of a broader regional conference on Iraq, but insisted that discussions be limited to Iraq. The U.S. accuses Iran of trying to develop a nuclear weapon, supporting terrorist groups and encouraging violence in Iraq by providing weapons and other material aid to Shiite militants there. Specter, a Republican, said past talks with the Soviet Union, Libya and North Korea proved helpful and that similar progress could be made with Iran. "If the government refuses to engage Iran, we're missing a great opportunity to avoid a future conflict," Specter said. Democratic Senators Patrick Leahy and Dianne Feinstein said they agreed and urged Defense Secretary Robert Gates to challenge President George W. Bush's policy on Iran. Gates said he supports sitting down with officials from Tehran, but only after the U.S. has developed significant leverage. In such cases as Libya and North Korea, these countries were seeking to relieve economic pressures imposed by sanctions, Gates said. "The key here is developing leverage, either through economic or diplomatic or military pressures on the Iranian government so they believe they must have talks with the United States because there is something they want from us, and that is the relief of the pressure," Gates said. Mullen also told the Senate panel that violence in Afghanistan is increasing, as security in Iraq has improved. Accordingly, the U.S. is deploying more troops to Afghanistan and encouraging local forces to do the same to contend with a growing insurgency, increased attacks and a burgeoning drug trade. "In short, a stable Iraq and Afghanistan that are long-term partners and share our commitment to peace will be critical to achieving regional stability and security," Mullen said. This will require years, not months, he added, and will require the support of the American people, our regional allies and concerted action by the Iraqi and Afghan people and their leaders. Mullen also reiterated the view of senior military and intelligence officials that the next near-term attack on the U.S. would most likely come from al-Qaida forces regrouping in Pakistan along the Afghanistan border. The U.S. reiumburses Pakistan for military strikes against terrorists in the region, but the area remains largely ungoverned. "It's a very difficult problem because this is sovereign territory belonging to Pakistan," Mullen said. Related Articles: McCain blasts Obama for saying Iran poses lesser threat than Soviets IDF: Iran-trained militant arrested in Gaza raid last month ANALYSIS: Who wants to stop Iran? Bookmark to del.icio.us   Terrorist donuts U.S. Arabs irate over criticism of celebrity cook's kaffiyeh. All the way to hell Rosner's blog: It's Obama's good intentions that pro-Israel activists fear.   1.   How Brazen can you get? 21:14  |  Cool B 20/05/08   2.   We do not believe........ 22:11  |  William 20/05/08   3.   I thinking bombing and invade Iraq has jeopardized peace in Iraq 22:25  |  Diplomat 20/05/08   4.   To Cool B 22:33  |  Tarek 20/05/08   5.   Revenge for selling weapons to both Iraq and Iran 23:16  |  Pablo B 20/05/08   6.   Blame everyone else for your failure. 23:46  |  Mike 20/05/08   7.   Hey Mullen they dont like OCUPPATION... 00:01  |  jc 21/05/08   8.   what, precisely, does republican `guard` guard? 00:25  |  frenz 21/05/08   9.   tarek,you can forget about the muslim,obama wining the president 00:32  |  Cool B sux 21/05/08   10.   pablo b your rigth,i don`t see how bush could have screwed it up 00:40  |  terrornator 21/05/08   11.   diplomat,muslims were the cause of the crusades the first time 00:52  |  terrornator 21/05/08   12.   The Mullahs are coming, the Shiites are coming 01:05  |  Neville Left 21/05/08   13.   Obama right on the money 02:35  |  Chuck 21/05/08   14.   He is on his knees 02:36  |  Mark Lincoln 21/05/08   15.   So Many American Idiot ? 13:05  |  Sumanto 21/05/08   16.   Talking to Iranians/Muslems??? 23:19  |  RebelRob 07/06/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Leave it to Fox News to elect Obama Responses: 276 Olmert: Broad Gaza military operation closer than ever Responses: 220 U.S. rejects Mofaz remarks on Iran strike seeming 'unavoidable' Responses: 419 Obama's pro-Israel speech before AIPAC riles Arab press Responses: 110 Rosner's Domain Obama and Jerusalem: did you really believe him? Guest: Marrying within the faith isn't racism - it's self preservation Should you mess with the Zohan? (WTR) Poll: Philip Roth, Victor Frankl or Leon Uris? What did Obama say to Joe Lieberman? (WTR) More Headlines 03:48 U.S. proposes trilateral talks with Israel, PA 02:01 IAEA slams Mofaz remark that attack on Iran seems 'unavoidable' 02:30 ANALYSIS / Mofaz's Iran jibe too high a price for party politics 02:45 Talk of a major IDF operation in Gaza is premature 00:30 Clinton halts presidency bid, endorses Obama 04:31 Black Jewish filmmaker sets out to capture her identity 00:27 Report: Syria foiled attempted coup by Assad's brother-in-law 18:21 X-Men mutant survives the Holocaust in new Marvel Comics miniseries 12:46 Author Thomas L. Friedman: Military leverage on Iran only short-term option 03:57 Battered by rockets, Gaza-area kibbutz heads north for Shavuot 01:56 IDF troops fire tear gas at EU dignitaries during W. Bank protest 01:17 Leftist groups gather in Tel Aviv to protest 41 years of occupation 03:53 Conditionally Jewish Previous Editions Select Day 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may

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