WASHINGTON - The commander of US forces in the Middle East, Admiral William Fallon, is stepping down amid reports he differed with President George W. Bush over Iran, US officials said Tuesday.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced he had accepted Fallon's resignation just after the admiral issued a statement saying he had requested permission to retire because of a magazine article that portrayed him as opposed to Bush's policies on Iran.
Gates said that was "a misperception" and there were no significant differences between Fallon's views on Iran, which has defied global calls to rein in its suspect nuclear program, and those of the administration.
Asked about Esquire magazine's contention that Fallon's removal would signal the United States was preparing to go to war with Iran, Gates said: "Well, that's just ridiculous.
"I have approved Admiral Fallon's request to retire with reluctance and regret," Gates told a hastily called news conference.
jm/jkb
03/11/2008 19:40 GMT