Al Jazeera (Qatar) :"US mulls Gulf defences against Iran"

US mulls Gulf defences against Iran

Tehran denies Western accusations that it is trying
to develop a nuclear warhead  [AFP]

Hillary Clinton has said the US will arm Washington's allies in the Gulf region if Iran builds a nuclear weapon.

The US secretary of state said in remarks recorded for a Thai television programme that the White House still wanted Iran to negotiate over its nuclear programme, but warned it would act if it did not halt its activities.

"We will still hold the door open, but we also have made it clear that we'll take actions ... working to upgrade the defence of our partners in the region," she said.

"If the US extends a defence umbrella over the region ... it's unlikely that Iran will be any stronger or safer because they won't be able to intimidate and dominate as they apparently believe they can once they have a nuclear weapon."

The US believes that Iran is using a civilian nuclear programme as a cover for efforts to build an atomic weapon.

Tehran insists that.....................
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http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/07/2009722....