Panetta warns US is ‘fully prepared’ to deal with Iran militarily if necessary

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday that the United States is “fully prepared” to respond militarily to Iran if necessary.

The United States is not taking any special steps to
deal with the potential for conflict with Iran, as the Pentagon is already prepared
for such a scenario, Panetta said speaking to reporters at the Pentagon.

Panetta reiterated that the United States still wants to find a peaceful
resolution with Iran over its nuclear program and threat to
close the Strait of Hormuz, a key Persian Gulf oil shipment line.

“It’s always an option to try to be able to pursue
diplomacy, making very clear that in order for that to work it takes two to be
able to engage,” Panetta said.

{mosads}An Iranian lawmaker claimed Wednesday that President Obama
called for direct talks with Iran in a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khameni, but an administration official said that was not the
case.

Panetta wouldn’t comment specifically on the letter, but
said that “we have channels to deal with the Iranians, and we continue to use
them.”

Tensions between Iran and the United States have risen considerably
in the past month after Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, and the United States said it would stop any attempt to close it. The threat was made in
response to economic sanctions from the United States and Europe over Iran’s nuclear
program, which Iran claims is for energy purposes but the United States and its allies
say is for a nuclear weapon.

Experts say Iran would be committing economic suicide if it
actually tried to close the strait, as Iran’s economy depends on its oil
exports. But should Iran take that
step, Panetta said Wednesday: “We’ll also be prepared to respond militarily if
we have to.”