Gates says US trying to ease tone in Iran dispute

SEVILLE, Spain, Feb 9 (Reuters) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates today dismissed suggestions that Washington had raised its rhetoric against Iran, saying the Bush administration was trying to soften the tone as tensions with Tehran climb.

''My impression frankly in the last few weeks is that there's been an effort in Washington to tone down everybody else,'' he said.

''I don't know how many times the president, Secretary (of State Condoleezza) Rice and I have had to repeat that we have no intention of attacking Iran.'' Gates' comments to reporters at a NATO meeting in Spain came a day after Iranian officials said they tested missiles capable of hitting warships in the Gulf and threatened to strike US interests if Iran was attacked.

Gates, appointed in December, has regularly warned against attacking Iran, but some defence analysts have pointed to signs such as the addition of a second US Navy carrier group in the Gulf.

Gates said today the second carrier group was meant to ''reassure our allies as well as to send a signal that we've been in the Persian Gulf for decades and we intend to stay there.'' ''I think these are fairly modest statements,'' he said.

Tensions have flared between the United States and Iran in recent months. The United States and others say Iran is seeking a nuclear weapons capability under the cover of a nuclear energy programme, but Tehran disputes the claim.

US officials also say Iran is fanning violence in Iraq by giving technology and other support to Shi'ite groups. Gates said there was some evidence Iran was the source of technology for a type of sophisticated roadside bomb.

''I'm just frankly not specifically certain myself of the details but I understand there is pretty good evidence tying (the bomb technology) to the Iranians,'' he said.

Gates also noted he was ''surprised'' when US troops found Iranians in Iraq during a sweep for groups suspected of making the roadside bombs.

I don't think there was surprise that the Iranians were involved.

I think there was surprise we actually picked up some,'' he said.

REUTERS BDP RAI2051