Gates: "Our determination to be an ongoing strong presence in that area for a long time into the future..."

Robert Gates' remarks today in Brussels, talking with NATO representives, are yet another indication that we're nowhere near a pullout from Iraq.  In addition to the refusal to renounce a permanent military presence on Iraqi soil, the administration now is openly talking about what it calls "Iran's very negative behavior."

His remarks followed tough comments on Iran at the weekend from other senior US officials. The vice-president, Dick Cheney, accused Iran of "fishing in troubled waters inside Iraq", while the national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, said the US was "going to need to deal with what Iran is doing inside Iraq".

Such remarks, following the prospect of "hot pursuit" raids into Iran as raised by George Bush in his televised address last week, have fuelled speculation that the US is softening up the American public for possible action against Tehran