Mullen: Iran strike would destabilize

WASHINGTON, July 5 (UPI) -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen said Sunday a military strike on Iran could prove "very destabilizing."

Appearing on CBS's "Face the Nation," Mullen said if any country, such as Israel, attacked Iran to limit the country's controversial nuclear program, that could have far-reaching implications.

"Well, I have been for some time concerned about any strike on Iran," Mullen said. "I worry about it being very destabilizing not just in and of itself but the unintended consequences of a strike like that."

But Mullen also expressed concern about the prospect of Iran's having nuclear weapons.

"I worry about the proliferation of the technology," he said. "I worry about other countries thinking in the region they might have to have that capability."

Turning his focus to Afghanistan, Mullen said U.S. troops are facing tough opposition in the southern part of the country.

"It's already started out to be pretty tough," Mullen said. "We've made some advances early. But I suspect it's going to be tough for a while.