MANAMA — The US warned Saturday it was capable of deploying
"overwhelming force" in the Middle East as it faced questions about
its willingness to use its military power in the region.
اضافة اعلان
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain's capital
that all options would be open if diplomacy fails to halt Iran's nuclear
program, but he was also forced to rebut claims the US has become reluctant to
use force.
The Pentagon chief was asked why Washington did not respond to last month's
drone-and-artillery attack on a base used by the US-led coalition fighting the
Islamic State group in Syria.
"The United States of America maintains the right to defend itself. And
we will defend ourselves and our interests, no matter what, at the time and
place of our choosing," he replied.
"And let no country, let no individual be mistaken about that. We are
committed to defending ourselves and our interests and that includes our
partners as well," said Austin.
"And we're also committed to not allowing Iran to get a nuclear weapon."
Iran and world powers are set for talks on November 29 aimed at reviving an
accord that placed restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for
sanctions relief. Tehran has always denied it is seeking nuclear weapons.
Austin said Washington's major goal was to strengthen its
"unmatched" alliances in the Middle East, but said military force
remained an option with tens of thousands of its troops stationed in the
region.
After ending its 20-year occupation of Afghanistan in August, the US is
poised to withdraw its combat troops from Iraq by the end of the year.
This month, Iraq's prime minister escaped an assassination attempt two days
after security forces clashed with supporters of Iran-backed parties that lost
support in recent elections.
'Strong and sure'
On Saturday, Iran said it had seized a foreign boat smuggling diesel in the
oil-rich Gulf.
Since February, Iran and Israel have been engaged in a "shadow
war" in which vessels linked to each country have come under attack in
waters around the Gulf.
The US and Israel accuse Iran of using drones and missiles to destabilise
the region.
In brief remarks to the forum, senior Saudi figure Turki bin Faisal Al Saud
called for "demonstrative action" in the region, including the
"total enforcement" of the arms embargo on Yemen's Iran-supported
Huthi rebels, who are fighting a Saudi-led coalition.
Austin said that "America's commitment to security in the Middle East
is strong and sure."
"Ultimately, our mission is to support diplomacy and to deter conflict
and to defend the United States and our vital interests," he said.
"If we're forced to turn back aggression, we will win and we will win
decisively."
Austin's visit comes days before Iran returns to talks with world powers on
resuming a nuclear deal which has been stalled since 2018, when former US President
Donald Trump walked away.
On Friday, US special envoy Robert Malley told the conference that time was
running out to return to the deal if Iran continues to make
"advances" in its nuclear program.
"We remain committed to a diplomatic outcome of the nuclear
issue," Austin said. "But if Iran is not willing to engage seriously,
then we will look at all the options necessary to keep them the United States
secure."
Iran's Gulf neighbors are concerned that concessions could be made to the
Islamic republic in the nuclear talks.
Read more Region and World
.jpg)
.jpg)
