Gates: All options on the table against Iran, N.Korea

New US nuclear doctrine is designed to make clear to states like Iran and North Korea that all options are on the table for dealing with them, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.

"The NPR has a very strong message for both Iran and North Korea," Gates told a news conference on the release of the US Nuclear Posture Review. "We essentially carve out states like Iran and North Korea, that are not in compliance with (the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty), and basically all options are on the table when it comes to countries in that category along with non-state actors who might acquire nuclear weapons." (Reuters)