Solana: Military strike on Iran a “mistake�

2/6/2005 11:30:00 AM GMT

Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief warned Sunday that a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities would be "a mistake".

A military attack on Iran "would be something I would not like to see taking place," Mr. Solana told Britain's ITV television network.

Asked about U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney's warning last month that Israel might launch a military strike targeting Iran's nuclear facilities without being asked to, Mr. Solana said:

"That would be a mistake. That will complicate enormously the situation," Mr. Solana said.

"Unilateral action of that nature I don't think will contribute to what is the aim of everybody ... I don't think at this point in time that it is worth thinking about that."

Although, there is widespread international suspicion that the U.S. might strike Iran, claiming that the Islamic Republic is covertly trying to develop an atomic weapons program, last week U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said a strike on Iran was "not on the agenda at this point", urging Europe to show "unity of purpose" with Washington in stopping Iran's nuclear programme.

The EU has initiated negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme, while the U.S., trying to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions, called for tougher stance.

EU big-three; France, Germany and Britain are trying to persuade Iran to suspend all activities related to nuclear enrichment.

Asked if he agrees that a U.S. military action against Iran was "inconceivable", remarks made previously by UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Mr. Solana replied: "I think at this point in time military action... is very difficult to conceive.

"I don't think that the United States has at this point of time the wish or the will or the capability to do that," Mr. Solana said.