Mullen: U.S. tried to stop Hamas-bound weapons

[unhappycamper]

Mullen: U.S. tried to stop Hamas-bound weapons
By Anne Gearan - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jan 27, 2009 21:24:26 EST

WASHINGTON — The nation’s top military officer said Tuesday the United States did all it could to intercept a suspected arms shipment to Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, but its hands were tied.

Separately, Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other U.S. officials said it is too soon to tell whether the prospect of new U.S. engagement with Iran will bear fruit.

Mullen confirmed that a Cypriot-flagged ship intercepted in the Red Sea last week was carrying Iranian arms and that U.S. authorities suspect that the shipment was ultimately bound for the Gaza Strip, where Hamas and Israel are observing a shaky truce after three weeks of fighting.

“The United States did as much as we could do legally,” Mullen said, adding that he would like more authority to act in such cases. “We were not authorized to seize the weapons or do anything like that.”

The Navy searched the ship with permission of the captain and found small munitions, military officials said.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_mullen_iran_012709w/%2e