Miscalculations

We haven't had a connection with Iran since 1979. Even in the darkest days of the Cold War we had links to the Soviet Union. We are not talking to Iran, so we don't understand each other. If something happens it's virtually assured that we won't get it right, that there will be miscalculations which would be extremely dangerous in that part of the world. [...]

-- Admiral Mike Mullen, recently-retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 20 September 2011