LOC09:36
06:36 GMT
WASHINGTON, Nov 11 (KUNA) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta
stressed here late Thursday that bombing Iran's nuclear facilities would have
a "serious impact in the region and it could have a serious impact on U.S.
forces in the region."
Speaking to reporters, Panetta said that "you've got to be careful of
unintended consequences here."
He stressed "those consequences could involve not only not really deterring
Iran from what they want to do, but more importantly, it could have a serious
impact in the region and it could have a serious impact on U.S. forces in the
region."
Furthermore, Panetta noted that Israel and the U.S. "share a very common
concern with regards to Iran, and that concern was reflected in the IAEA
report that was issued this week."
"For that reason it is important for us to make sure we apply the toughest
sanctions, economic, diplomatic pressures on Iran to change their behavior.
And we are in discussions with our allies with regards to additional sanctions
that ought to be placed on Iran," he stressed.
He added "it is important that the world come together to apply sanctions
against Iran and make very clear to them that they are going to pay a heavy
price if they continue along this track."
"The fact that a respected international organization like IAEA has come to
this determination I think raises serious concerns that Iran continues to
flaunt international rules and standards. And as a result of that, it's very
clear that additional sanctions have to be applied," he reiterated.
Panetta stressed that when it comes to action against Iran, it "ought to be
a last resort." (end)
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