The top US commander in the Middle East has stepped down in what appears to be a direct result of his differences with the Bush administration on Iran. Admiral William Fallon’s resignation comes months after his well-publicized comments that the “constant drumbeat of conflict” from Washington towards Iran is “not helpful and not useful.” The comment was recently reprinted in an Esquire magazine profile that called Fallon the only person who could stop a US attack on Iran. In a statement read by his superior, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Fallon denied stepping down over policy differences but said reports of them had become a distraction.

Defense Sec. Robert Gates: “Admiral Fallon advised me of his decision early this morning. He told me that, quote, 'a current embarrassing situation, public perception of differences between my views and administration policy, and the distraction this causes from the mission make this the right thing to do,' unquote. I have approved Admiral Fallon’s request to retire with reluctance and regret.”

Fallon’s departure is seen by some as a sign of an increased US threat towards Iran. Fallon is also known to have clashed with General David Petraeus on US troop levels in Iraq.