Mattis: Iran is 'destabilizing force'

WASHINGTON, July 27 (UPI) -- Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, up for appointment as head of U.S. Central Command, said Tuesday Iran is the greatest destabilizing force in that region.

Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee Iran's nuclear ambitions make it a long-term threat in the region.

"[Iran] continues to threaten regional and global stability by pursuing a nuclear weapons program and by funding and arming militant proxies throughout the region," he said. "The task of Central Command will be to counter the Iranian regime's destabilizing activities, to deter the regime from aggression, and to work in concert with our partners in the region to advance our shared security interests."

Mattis would succeed Gen. David Petraeus, who left the post to head up the war effort in Afghanistan following the dismissal of Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Mattis serves as both the NATO supreme allied commander for transformation and commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.

"The wars we are fighting require highly integrated military efforts from the highest to the lowest levels," Mattis said in his opening remarks. "If confirmed, I will make every effort to work closely with civilian and military leaders charged with leading our operations, and to ensure they are fully resourced in a coherent and comprehensive manner."

Mattis told the senators consistency is needed in fighting al-Qaida and other extremist groups throughout the Central Command region, which includes all U.S. military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, and beyond.

"The stakes there are high," he said. "The military component in our strategy in Afghanistan is sound, and requires firm execution. I support it fully.

"I believe that by steadfastly executing our strategy, we will win in Afghanistan. Nothing about the mission will be easy. We recognize that achieving our goals in Afghanistan requires also the enduring commitment of the international community."