Region | Iran
Cheney against using military force, says Rice
She says Washington is using diplomacy to avoid 'getting to a place where we have an unpalatable choice'
- AP
- Published: 00:00 June 3, 2007
Madrid: The US is not preparing for war against Iran and Vice-President Dick Cheney supports that policy, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says, taking a swipe at a UN official who says he is worried about 'crazies' who want to start bombing.
"The president of the United States has made very clear what our policy is. That policy is supported by all the members of his Cabinet and by the vice- president of the United States," Rice said on Friday.
Al Baradei warning
"The president has made clear that we are on a diplomatic course," she said in regard to US opposition to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Rice, in Spain at the close of a European visit, was asked about the comments of the chief of the UN nuclear watchdog agency. Mohammad Al Baradei was quoted by the BBC as warning against the views of "new crazies who say 'let's go and bomb Iran'". Cheney is frequently the administration's most hawkish voice on Iran, but Rice said she did not know to whom Al Baradei referred. The United States does not rule out military action but says there is no plan or intention to attack Tehran.
Cheney has not publicly advocated an assault on Iran, but he used the deck of an aircraft carrier in the Gulf last month to warn Tehran that Washington would prevent the Islamic republic from dominating the Middle East.
Rice was clearly annoyed by Al Baradei's remarks, which were part of an interview the International Atomic Energy Agency head gave for a documentary. The remarks were posted on Friday on the BBC website.
Rice said the United States is using diplomacy to avoid "getting to a place where we have an unpalatable choice". She described that as a choice "between having to do something on the military side or allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon. That's a choice that people talk about". Rice, who has tangled with Al Baradei before, suggested he is giving Iran mixed signals.
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
