United States:Republican presidential candidates have said the US might have to attack Iran to stop Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, but most said they would consult Congress first.
A debate in Dearborn, Michigan, was dominated by clashes between national frontrunner Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who is ahead in the states that vote first in next year's primaries.
Fred Thompson, a former senator from Tennessee who is better known for his role in the Law and Order TV series, made little impact in his first appearance at a candidates' debate.
Mr Romney made the most obvious slip-up in the debate when he said he would consult his lawyers before authorising an attack on Iran, an approach that is anathema to the conservatives, whose support he needs.
"You sit down with your attorneys and [ they] tell you what you have to do, but obviously the president of the United States has to do what's in the best interest of the United States to protect us against a potential threat. The president did that as he was planning on moving into Iraq and received the authorisation of Congress," he said.
When asked if US president George Bush needed the authorisation of Congress before invading Iraq, Mr Romney was non-committal. "You know, we're going to let the lawyers sort out what he needed to do and what he didn't need to do. But, certainly, what you want to do is to have the agreement of all the people - leadership of our government as well as our friends around the world, where those circumstances are available."
John McCain said he would attack immediately if necessary but he would prefer to secure the authorisation of Congress.
"If the situation is that it requires immediate action to ensure the security of the United States of America, that's what you take your oath to do, when you're inaugurated as president of the United States," he said.
"If it's a long series of build-ups, where the threat becomes greater and greater, of course you want to go to Congress; of course you want to get approval. If this is an imminent threat to the security of the United States . . . I would, at minimum, consult with the leaders of Congress because there may come a time when you need the approval of Congress."
Mr Giuliani said an imminent threat from Iran was a possibility the US should be ready for, adding that the prospect of a US strike could boost diplomatic efforts to stop Iran's nuclear programme. "Iran is a greater danger than Iraq. Iraq cannot be seen in a vacuum. And we have to be willing to use a military option to stop Iran from becoming nuclear. If we're willing to do it, we have a much better chance of having sanctions for it," he said.
Mr Thompson, who is running second to Mr Giuliani in national polls, made no apparent mistakes but failed to prevent the debate from becoming a duel between Mr Giuliani and Mr Romney.
