Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff: use of military force option "of the last resort,"

Yet more bare-faced lies and propaganda from Gates and Mullen, who appear eager to become war criminals like the rest of the administration.

"From a military standpoint, there is more than enough reserve to respond if that, in fact, is what the national leadership wanted to do, and so I don't think we're too stretched in that regard," Adm. Michael Mullen told reporters when asked if current operations had worn out U.S. forces.
Adm. Mullen said he has been concerned over the past year and a half with Iranian leaders' statements of intentions, Tehran's support for bombers in Iraq and Iran's covert drive for nuclear weapons."
...
"Defense and military officials have been preparing U.S. forces within striking distance of Iran. The forces would be dominated by Navy and Air Force weapons and forces since Army and Marine Corps forces are focused on Iraq and Afghanistan.
There are two main targets of any Iranian military action, according to the officials. First, U.S. forces are set to attack Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps facilities because of the paramilitary's support and provision of armor-piercing roadside bombs.
A U.S. official said the location of a factory where Iranian bomb materials are being produced has been identified. A second target would be Iranian nuclear facilities, which are in numerous underground facilities across the country. "
...
"The use of military force would be an option "of the last resort," Adm. Mullen said"

Ah that old canard once again?

Remember this? "War is a last resort." - Scott McClellan, Nov. 12, 2002, White House press briefing

Or this? "The military option is my last choice, not my first. It's my last choice. But Saddam has got to understand, the United Nations must know, that the will of this country is strong."
George W. Bush, President, October 3, 2002 Remarks by the President to Hispanic Leaders

And this? "The use of our military is my last choice, not my first. I take my responsibilities very seriously as the Commander in Chief. The use of force is not my first choice, it's my last. But my first choice, as well, is not to allow the world's worst leader to blackmail, to harm America with the world's worst weapons."
George W. Bush, President, October 5, 2002 Remarks by the President at John Sununu for Senate Reception

And there's more: "as the president said the other night, we are trying to see war as a last resort." Colin Powell, Secretary of State October 9, 2002CNN/ Larry King

"The use of the military is my last choice, is my last desire." George W. Bush, President, October 14, 2002 Remarks by the President Upon Departure for Michigan

"Military option is my last choice. It's not my -- it's the last thing I want to do, is commit our military." George W. Bush, President, October 14, 2002 Remarks by the President at Thaddeus McCotter for Congress Dinner

Yet as the Downing Street Memo informed us on July 23, 2002:

“Military action was now seen as inevitable. Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD.”
“No decisions had been taken, but he thought the most likely timing in US minds for military action to begin was January, with the timeline beginning 30 days before the US Congressional elections.”
“But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy”
“Bush had made up his mind to take military action, even if the timing was not yet decided. But the case was thin. Saddam was not threatening his neighbours, and his WMD capability was less than that of Libya, North Korea or Iran.”