The top U.S. military officer says more diplomacy is needed to convince Iran not to develop nuclear weapons, because any military strike would have unforeseeable consequences and could end up putting considerable stress on U.S. forces.
美军参谋长联席会议主席表示，需要更多使用外交途径，说服伊朗不要发展核武器，因为任何军事打击都可能引发不可预知的后果，也让美国部队承受更多压力。
At a news conference, Admiral Mike Mullen refused to reveal any substance from his recent meetings in Israel, which came shortly after Israeli forces had conducted an extensive exercise that many interpreted as preparation for an air strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. But Admiral Mullen warned that any "destabilizing acts" could have unpredictable consequences, and it would be difficult for the United States to respond.
在新闻发布会上，美军上将马伦拒绝透露他最近到以色列访问的任何内容，就在马伦访问前，以色列部队进行大规模的演习，许多人认为这些演习是为空袭伊朗的核设施预做准备。但是马伦上将警告说，任何影响稳定的行动都可能引发不可预知的后果，也让美国难以回应。
"Opening up a third front right now would be extremely stressful on us," said Admiral Mullen. "That doesn't mean we don't have capacity or reserve. But that would really be very challenging and also the consequences of that, sometimes, are very difficult to predict."
他说：“现在开辟第三条战线将对美军形成极大的压力，并不是说我们没有那个能力或没有储备战力，但是如果这么做，将是非常大的挑战，而且后果难以预料。”
The admiral says that is why he prefers the current U.S. and international policy of trying to convince Iranian leaders to abandon their nuclear weapons program through a package of incentives and punishments.
这位美国海军上将说，这也是为什么他支持当前布什政府以及国际社会的政策，试图用一揽子奖励和惩罚计划，来说服伊朗领导人放弃核武器项目。
Admiral Mullen, who is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke just a few days after news organizations quoted an unnamed senior defense official as saying there is increased likelihood of an Israeli attack on Iran before the end of the year. The official was quoted as saying Israel believes if it waits any longer, Iran will have a nuclear weapon or a sophisticated air defense system, or both. Admiral Mullen says Israel has predicted faster Iranian progress than American analysts have.
现任美军参谋长联席会议主席的马伦上将在发表这番讲话的几天前，新闻报导引述一位没有具名的美军将领的话说，以色列在今年年底前攻击伊朗的可能性在加大。这名官员说，以色列相信如果再拖下去，伊朗将发展出核武器或一套先进的反空袭系统，甚至两种武器都发展出来。马伦上将表示，以色列预测伊朗的军备发展比美国预测的还要快。
Admiral Mullen was asked whether there is "a high stakes bluffing game" going on.
当被问到，这是否是一场“赌注很高的唬人计谋”，马伦上将的回答是。
"It is high stakes, it's no question, in this part of the world," he said. "And I guess I'd just leave it at that."
“对这个地区来说，毫无疑问这是很高的赌注，我想我就只能说这么多。”
Admiral Mullen also endorsed comments earlier Wednesday by the U.S. Naval commander in the Middle East. Admiral Kevin Cosgriff said the United States will not allow Iran to close the Straits of Hormuz, at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, as Iran has threatened to do if it is attacked. Admiral Mullen said Iran has the ability to create a "hazard" in the Straits, but not to sustain it against U.S. forces.
马伦上将也同意星期三美国在中东地区一位海军将领的评论，海军上将考思格里夫说，美国不会允许伊朗关闭波斯湾入口的霍尔木兹海峡。伊朗曾经威胁，一旦遭遇攻击将关闭这个海峡。马伦上将说，伊朗有对霍尔木兹海峡制造危害的能力，但没有抵抗美国军队的能力。 |