Washington: The White House said today that "there is no one" inside the US government who wants war with Iran, even though US President George W Bush has not ruled out any options.

"There s no one in the administration that is suggesting anything other than a diplomatic approach to Iran," spokeswoman Dana Perino said one day after the commander of US forces in the Middle East resigned.

Perino said "it s nonsense" to say that Admiral William Fallon was pushed out because he reportedly disagreed with Bush s hardline approach towards forcing Tehran to end its suspect nuclear programme.

"The president welcomes robust and healthy debate," she said, adding that there were "dissenting views on a variety of issues that get worked out through our policy process. That is usually not played out in the press."

"What the president has said is that all options are on the table is what helps make diplomacy work and makes it more effective," she said.

Fallon said in a statement Tuesday that he was stepping down because reports that he differed with Bush over Iran -- chiefly an article in Esquire magazine -- had become "a distraction."

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced he had accepted Fallon s resignation "with reluctance and regret," saying there was a "misperception" that the admiral was at odds with the administration over Iran.

Source : PTI