Sen. Rockefeller fears Iran is new Iraq

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va., the head of the Intelligence Committee, says Bush administration rhetoric on Iran reminds him of the Iraq war buildup.

In an interview with The New York Times, Rockefeller said the administration appears to be building a case against Iran while knowing little about Tehran's real intentions or what is going on inside the country.

"To be quite honest, I'm a little concerned that it's Iraq again," Rockefeller said. "This whole concept of moving against Iran is bizarre."

Rockefeller became chairman of the Intelligence Committee earlier this month when Democrats took control of Congress.

While he agreed with the Bush administration that Iranian agents are assisting Shiite militia in Iraq, he said President George W. Bush may be getting bad advice from those who urge a hard line on Iran. He said the president suffers from a lack of curiosity about the world.

"I don't think he reads like he says he does," said Rockefeller. "Every time he's read something he tells you about it."