US Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, who is to lead US forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, says that diplomacy is the best option with Iran. The US must work on developing more diplomatic and economic tactics to pressure Teheran to abandon its nuclear program and must retain military strike options as a “last resort.” He said the United States “should make every effort to engage by use of the whole of government, developing further leverage rather than simply targeting discrete threats.”

“A destabilized Iraq, rampant terrorism in the region and a nuclear-armed Middle East are not in any nation's long-term interest, including Iran's,” according to the 46-page question and answer document submitted in advance to its confirmation, quoted by the Associated Press.

President Bush has nominated Petraeus, who is currently the top US commander in Iraq, to replace Navy Adm. William J. Fallon as chief of US Central Command in Tampa, Fla. The command’s area of responsibility includes some of the most troubling hotspots: Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Lebanon, parts of Africa and Afghanistan. Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, who spent 15 months as Petraeus’ top deputy, will replace Petraeus as the top commander in Baghdad.

“Petraeus is a very thoughtful guy. He's not the sort of person who sees only one side to an issue,” said Stephen Biddle, an analyst at the Council on Foreign Relations who has advised the general in Iraq, according to Reuters.

Petraeus has recommended to withdraw the extra troops by July and to continue the reductions after that. Bush has agreed with the strategy. The two generals’ nominations must be approved by both the Armed Services Committee and the full Senate before they can be applied.