Two former high ranking U.S. military officials said strikes against Iran for its nuclear program is not the prime U.S. policy option and that it will not produce the desired result of getting the regime to stop its uranium enrichment.
Retired Gen. James Cartwright and Adm. William Fallon took part in a Center for Strategic & International Studies & TCU Schieffer School of Journalism event in Washington.
The panel discussion centered on U.S. policy options available to address Iran’s nuclear program.
Cartwright said that he believes the likelihood that “something flips the switch” for a U.S. military strike is low. He added that such action would be very difficult because of the number of targets. He added that even if those targets were taken out, the U.S. or Israel would not be able to take out the intellectual capital of Iran’s nuclear program completely and they could simply rebuild. He said that the concern right now is that the weapon or the technology could fall into the wrong hands.
Fallon echoed similar concerns and and said that he is now aware of anyone who believes that a military strike would produce positive results. He added that sanctions have effected Iran’s ability to do business among other things, such as import food.
Bob Schieffer, CBS News chief Washington correspondent and anchor of “Face the Nation” moderated the conversation.