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U.S. not for “regime change” in Iran

MANAMA: Without stating war as a possible option, U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said Washington is not looking to accomplish a “regime change” in Iran.

Mr. Gates, however, said the U.S. wanted a “change in policies and behaviour” from Iran.

He pointed out Washington would “use every tool” to mount “economic and political pressure” on Iran, to bring about change.

To a question after speaking at an international security conference in Bahrain, he said the U.S. was ready to talk to Iran so long as Tehran suspended uranium enrichment.

“The new administration wished to broaden that aperture remains to be seen.”

He accused Iran of “meddling’ in the affairs of Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan, and engaging in a clandestine nuclear programme.

However, Mr. Gates’ views in reference to Iraq were not entirely endorsed by Brahm Saleh, Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, who also spoke at the conference.

Mr. Saleh said Iraq shared “one of its most important” relationships with Iran.

He pointed out Iran “has influence and has ways and means to influence Iraq.”

He hoped Iraq’s “complex relationship” with Iran would be based on shared security and economic interests and on the principle of “non-interference in the domestic affairs of Iraq.”

Mr. Gates appealed to West Asia countries to integrate Iraq within the framework of an expanded Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which currently comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Oman.

He also advocated Iraq’s inclusion in the region’s financial and security structures. As the Americans shift their focus from Iraq to Afghanistan, Mr. Gates emphasised that more troops were required to impart stability to Afghanistan.

However, he stressed that steps were needed to ensure that the West was not perceived by the Afghan people as an “occupying” force.

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