Gates: US, Iran Not on Brink of Conflict
Source: Alalam.ir, 09-07-2008
WASHINGTON--US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday the US and Iran were not close to a military confrontation, and understood the consequences of any kind of conflict.
Gates comments came on a day in which Iran test-fired a medium range missile and followed an Iranian warning Tuesday that any attacks against the country would be met with a "crushing
response."
Asked if the two countries were closer to a military confrontation in light of the escalating rhetoric, Gates said, "No I don't think so."
"The reality is there is a lot of signaling going on, but everybody recognizes what the consequences of any kind of a conflict would be," he said.
Gates said: "And I would tell you that this government is working hard to make sure the diplomatic and economic approach to dealing with Iran and trying to get the Iran" to suspend uranium enrichment.
"At this point, I'm comfortable that that remains the case," he said.
Iran successfully test-launched upgraded, longer range Shahab-3 missile in a navy military maneuvers dubbed 'the Great Prophet 3' in the Persian Gulf Wednesday.
The armed forces test fired the developed 2000-kilometer missile at 0430 GMT with a conventional warhead weighing one ton in the maneuvers.
Nine highly advanced missiles, including the Zelzal and Fateh missiles with ranges of 400km and 170km respectively, were also tested during the drill.
WASHINGTON--US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday the US and Iran were not close to a military confrontation, and understood the consequences of any kind of conflict.
Gates comments came on a day in which Iran test-fired a medium range missile and followed an Iranian warning Tuesday that any attacks against the country would be met with a "crushing
response."
Asked if the two countries were closer to a military confrontation in light of the escalating rhetoric, Gates said, "No I don't think so."
"The reality is there is a lot of signaling going on, but everybody recognizes what the consequences of any kind of a conflict would be," he said.
Gates said: "And I would tell you that this government is working hard to make sure the diplomatic and economic approach to dealing with Iran and trying to get the Iran" to suspend uranium enrichment.
"At this point, I'm comfortable that that remains the case," he said.
Iran successfully test-launched upgraded, longer range Shahab-3 missile in a navy military maneuvers dubbed 'the Great Prophet 3' in the Persian Gulf Wednesday.
The armed forces test fired the developed 2000-kilometer missile at 0430 GMT with a conventional warhead weighing one ton in the maneuvers.
Nine highly advanced missiles, including the Zelzal and Fateh missiles with ranges of 400km and 170km respectively, were also tested during the drill.
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