The top U.S. general stressed Tuesday the need to keep the military option against Iran on table while adding that diplomacy is "really important."
"I'd never take the military option off the table," Michael Mullen, who chairs the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a group of foreign reporters in Washington.
However, "having the military option on the table doesn't mean it's going to get used," he went on.
"But it certainly is intended to ensure that there's no miscommunication or miscalculation; that the potential is there and the resolve is there though it is restrained at this point," Mullen added.
Meanwhile, he said, "I think that diplomacy is really important... I think the diplomatic engagement is really important. I am hopeful that talks will resume with them."
Mullen also expressed concerns over Iran's actions.
"Their actions and rhetoric have been destabilizing, not only in Iraq, but in the region. And I think we'd all like to see Iran take a constructive and responsible role," he said.
Since Mullen became chairman on Oct. 1, he has expressed concern about Iran for several times.
He said last month that while military action against Iran is a last resort, the U.S. military has the resources to attack if needed despite the strains of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Source:Xinhua
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