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Iran: US Attack Would Result in 'Quagmire'
With meeting ahead on new sanctions, Russia encourages diplomacy
By Sam Gale Rosen
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Posted Oct 31, 07 4:45 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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A US attack would lead to a "quagmire deeper than Iraq," an Iranian official warned today, reacting to intensifying rhetoric from the Bush administration. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany will meet Friday to discuss tougher sanctions against Iran. Meanwhile, Russia insists that dialogue is the best way to resolve the standoff over Iran's nuclear activities.
Nicholas Burns, a senior State Department official, said words will need to be backed up with action. "If we want diplomacy to succeed, we're going to have to see more tough-minded diplomacy," he said. This means sanctions, which some EU members are wary of pursuing. The US continues to refuse to rule out military action against Iran if sanctions fail.