Top U.S. Military Officer Concerned About Iranian Incursion

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen

The top U.S. military officer has voiced concern about an incursion by Iran into Iraq where Iranian soldiers seized an Iraqi oil well.

Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said he had spoken to Iraq's defense minister, but it was for leaders in Tehran and Baghdad to resolve the dispute.

The Iranian troops are believed to have now left the Fakkah oil well, which is close to the Iranian border, although they are still in the vicinity.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the Iranian troops who seized the oil well last week have lowered the Iranian flag and pulled back 50 meters.

He said the Iraqi government has asked for the troops to leave completely.

Dabbagh said a joint Iraq-Iran committee would begin to look at demarcation of the border.

compiled from agency reports