AFP: US defense secretary nominee Robert Gates said Tuesday he was against an attack on Iran except as an “absolute last resort” and said he would not support any US strike against Syria.
WASHINGTON, Dec 5, 2006 (AFP) – US defense secretary nominee Robert Gates said Tuesday he was against an attack on Iran except as an “absolute last resort” and said he would not support any US strike against Syria.
Gates said any military operation against the Islamic Republic, with which Washington is locked in a nuclear showdown, would have a “dramatic” impact on US security, during his confirmation hearing before a US Senate committee.
“Military action against Iran would be an absolute last resort,” Gates said questioned by Democratic Senator Robert Byrd.
“We have seen in Iraq that once war is unleashed it becomes unpredictable, the consequences of a military conflict with Iran could be quite dramatic,” Byrd said.
“Therefore, I would counsel against military action except as a last resort.”
Asked by Byrd whether he would endorse an attack against another US foe, Syria, he said “No, Sir.”
