US Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iran remains a threat to the US despite a new report that Tehran does not seek nuclear weapons.
Speaking to delegates attending a regional security conference in the Bahraini capital of Manama on Saturday, Gates rejected claims that the White House is employing double standards over Iran while supporting the Zionist regime.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iran remains a threat to the US despite a new report that Tehran does not seek nuclear weapons.
Speaking to delegates attending a regional security conference in the Bahraini capital of Manama on Saturday, Gates rejected claims that the White House is employing double standards over Iran while supporting the Zionist regime.
When asked whether he considers the Zionist regime's 'nuclear program' a threat to the region, Gates responded, "No, I do not."
Middle Eastern officials, however, burst into laughter at the US official's response.
"There are significant differences in terms of both the history and the behavior of the Israeli and Iranian governments," the Defense Secretary added.
Although the Zionist regime has never officially confirmed possession of nuclear weapons, it refuses to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to provide any safeguards to the international community.
This is while Tehran is a signatory to the NPT and maintains extensive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has confirmed Iran's peaceful nuclear intentions.
