General Dempsey to CNN: Iran Shouldn’t “Miscalculate Our Resolve”

EXCLUSIVE to CNN
Dempsey: Iran Shouldn't "Miscalculate Our Resolve"
December 20th, 2011, 02:41 PM ET

By Barbara Starr reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Pam Benson and Charley Keyes contributing from Washington

As General Martin Dempsey toured around the globe over the last eight days, one issue was prominent – Iran's nuclear intentions.

Dempsey, in an exclusive interview with CNN, warned that Iran is playing a dangerous game that could ensnare the Middle East, the United States and others into conflict and a renewed nuclear arms race.  From Iraq to Afghanistan, Kuwait to Saudi Arabia, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff heard about growing concerns about Iran's ambitions.

"My biggest worry is they will miscalculate our resolve," Dempsey said in an interview conducted during a stop in Saudi Arabia.  "Any miscalculation could mean that we are drawn into conflict, and that would be a tragedy for the region and the world."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Watch Barbara Starr's exclusive interview with Chairman Martin Dempsey today on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (4-6pm ET)