Robert Gates, US Secretary of Defense, called the Iranian regime “an ambitious and fanatical theocracy,” and emphasized on the necessity of imposing harsher sanctions, and meanwhile using all options regarding this regime.
Robert Gates added: “With a government of that nature, only a united front of nations will be able to exert enough pressure to make Iran abandon its nuclear aspirations _ a source of great anxiety and instability in the region,”
Gates who spoke at the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs in Washington: “Our allies must work together on robust, far-reaching and strongly enforced economic sanctions, We must exert pressure in the diplomatic and political arenas as well. And, as President Bush has said, with this regime we must also keep all options on the table.”
Interpreting these remarks, The Associated Press asserted: “The term “all options” is a veiled reference to possible military action.”
Gates said Iran seems increasingly willing to act contrary to its own interests.
“We should have no illusions about the nature of this regime or its leaders _ about their designs for their nuclear program, their willingness to live up to their rhetoric, their intentions for Iraq, or their ambitions in the Gulf region,” he said.
Robert Gates added: The US government is aware of the existing threats by the Iranian regime against us and our allies and, as President Bush has said, with this regime we must also keep all options on the table.