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Pentagon Developing Options to Deal With Iranian Nuclear Program

   VOA News 21 December 2009
   Chairman  of  the  Joint  Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, 14 Dec
   2009

Photo: AP

   Chairman  of  the  Joint  Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, 14 Dec
   2009

   The  United  States'  top  military  officer says the Pentagon must be
   ready  with  military  options  against  Iran's nuclear program in the
   event the president calls for them.
   In  a document outlining U.S. military assessments and priorities, the
   chairman  of  the  Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said he
   believes  diplomacy offers the best chance to resolve the dispute over
   Iran's nuclear program.
   The  admiral  added that military action remains an option but that it
   would have "limited results."
   Western  nations  accuse  Iran  of seeking to develop a nuclear weapon
   under  the  guise  of a civilian nuclear program, but Iran insists its
   program is purely peaceful.
   Tehran's  chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, visited Tokyo Monday
   to  meet  with  senior  officials.   A  Japanese official said Foreign
   Minister  Katsuya  Okada  told  Jalili  he  was  very  concerned about
   Tehran's nuclear program.
   Jalili told reporters that the dropping of an atomic bomb on Hiroshima
   during World War II was "a crime" that "must never be repeated."
   U.S.  officials  have said Iran will face consequences from the global
   community  if  it  continues  to rebuff efforts to ensure the peaceful
   application of its nuclear program.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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