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Mullen worries about ‘clock now running’ on US efforts to keep dialogue open with Iran

Mullen worries about US efforts at Iran dialogue

Pentagon chief says allies’ concerns over US outreach to Iran may be exaggerated

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT — Defense Secretary Robert Gates is on his way to the Middle East, seeking to soothe allies worried about Tehran’s reach. He said yesterday that efforts to bolster U.S. relations with Iran may still ultimately face what he called “a closed fist.”