The US Defense Department declined to confirm Tuesday a report it will increase its naval force in the Gulf region next year. CBS television reported Monday, citing anonymous sources, that the Pentagon is planning a major deployment of naval forces to the Gulf in 2007 in response to what the US considers acts of provocation by Iran.
The Pentagon would not confirm the report, however.
"We have very robust military and it includes a very capable navy that is deployed throughout the world," Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said Tuesday.
"We move ships where we believe we need to have ships. We don't talk about those movements, we don't talk about those plans and we don't talk about those contingencies."
He added that the US maintains a "routine presence" in the region, like positioning an aircraft carrier there.
CBS said the US has no plans to attack Iran but wants to discourage its leaders from stirring up troubles in neighboring states.
Any Iraq-style attack on Iran would be "disastrous": Annan
United Nations (AFP) Dec 19 – Any military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons would be "disastrous" and the UN Security Council should continue to press for a "negotiated settlement", outgoing UN chief Kofi Annan said Tuesday.
Answering a question about possible military action against Iran similar to the US led-war in Iraq in 2003, Annan told his last press conference as secretary general: "I don't think we are there yet, or should go in that direction."
"I think it would be rather unwise and disastrous," said the Ghanaian secretary general who is stepping down at the end of the month. "I believe that the Council, which is discussing the issue, will proceed cautiously and try to do whatever it can to get a negotiated settlement. The 15-member Security Council is currently trying to agree a package of sanctions to convince Tehran to halt its sensitive nuclear fuel work.
Source: Agence France-Presse
