Iran defense chief calls move into Iraq 'inevitable'

Iranian Defense Minister Col. Muhammad Salimi said Wednesday an Iranian push into Iraqi territory had become ''inevitable,'' Iran's national news agency, IRNA, reported.

Iran said Tuesday it was prepared to invade Iraq to impose terms for an end to the Gulf war. It had refused last week to start negotiations with Baghdad after Iraqi troops pulled back to the international border. The decision to invade Iraq must be made by Iran's Supreme Defense Council, of which Colonel Salimi is a member.