ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates has some harsh words for Iran.
On a 4-day trip through the Middle East, Gates says the U.S. "can’t wait years" for Iran to change its policies. He tells reporters more countries need to cooperate with U.N. sanctions and bring additional pressure on Iran.
Gates and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice have been traveling together on a rare joint lobbying trip. They have been urging Mideast allies, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to press on with financial sanctions.
Gates says Arab leaders are unanimous in their concerns about Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, adding, "there’s not really room for bystanders here."
He and Rice have also been urging Arab countries to bolster their support for Iraq.
