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Iran Denounces US General's Comment

   VOA News 03 August 2010
   Adm.  Mike  Mullen,  chairman  of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (file
   photo)

Photo: AP

   Adm.  Mike  Mullen,  chairman  of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (file
   photo)

   Iran's defense minister has denounced remarks by the top U.S. military
   commander,  who  said  Washington  has  not ruled out the use of force
   against Iran to prevent it from making nuclear weapons.
   Joint  Chiefs  of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen said Sunday that the U.S.
   has  a  plan  to  strike  Iran.  But Admiral Mullen said he hopes the
   military option is not needed.
   Iran's  defense minister, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, said Tuesday
   that  U.S.  threats  to  attack his country violate the United Nations
   charter.   He  warned  that  Tehran has drawn up defensive plans that
   would make its enemies regret any attack.
   The  United States and other Western countries accuse Iran of secretly
   developing  nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy program -
   a  charge  Iran denies.  Admiral Mullen said he hopes the combination
   of sanctions and diplomatic efforts will resolve the dispute.

   Â

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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