Any Iraq-style attack on Iran would be 'disastrous': Annan

UNITED NATIONS: Any military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons would be "disastrous" and the UN Security Council should continue to press for a "negotiated settlement", outgoing UN chief Kofi Annan said on Tuesday.   

Answering a question about possible military action against Iran similar to the US led-war in Iraq in 2003, Annan told his last press conference as secretary general: "I don't think we are there yet, or should go in that direction."   

"I think it would be rather unwise and disastrous," said the Ghanaian secretary general who is stepping down at the end of the month.

"I believe that the Council, which is discussing the issue, will proceed cautiously and try to do whatever it can to get a negotiated settlement.   

The 15-member Security Council is currently trying to agree a package of sanctions to convince Tehran to halt its sensitive nuclear fuel work.