A U.S. military chief expressed concern over another possible battle in the Middle East.

This comes after speculation that Israel is planning to attack Iran.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen says the attack would put even more pressure on troops already serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Opening up a third front right now would be extremely stressful on us. That doesn't mean we don't have capacity or reserve. But that would really be very challenging,” said Admiral Mike Mullen.

Should fighting break out between Israel and Iran, the U.S. is almost guaranteed to be involved.

But a new war would be extremely hard on the U.S. military with a large number of American troops already stretched thin across Iraq and Afghanistan.


The Iranian foreign minister dismissed the threat of an attack by Israel or the U.S.

"The Israeli government is facing a political breakdown within itself and within the region, so we do not foresee such a possibility for that regime to resort to such craziness. The United States, too, is not in a position where it can engage in, take another risk, in the region,” said Manouchehr Mottaki.

Military officials are also concerned about the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has threatened to close the strait if attacked choking off oil traffic which would choke off more than 40 percent of the world's oil supply.

“I think it's a huge strategic strait and one that we are very concerned about,” said Mullen.

Admiral Mullen and President Bush both said today they would prefer to solve the problem diplomatically.