U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney issued a warning to Iran while aboard an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf on Friday, saying the United States would join allies to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons "and dominating the region."
With two U.S. carrier groups now in the region, Cheney declared, "We're sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike. We'll keep the sea lanes open."
Cheney spoke aboard the USS John C. Stennis. The carrier was steaming about 20 miles off Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Cheney is spending time there after a two-day tour of Iraq.
According to the AP, Cheney's visit comes just two days before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was to visit Abu Dhabi. "We'll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region," said Cheney.
