The US Under Secretary of State John Bolton has said Washington's goal is a change of regime in Baghdad, regardless of whether Iraqi President Saddam Hussein allows UN weapons inspectors back into the country.
"Let there be no mistake. While we also insist on the reintroduction of the weapons inspectors, our policy at the same time insists on regime change in Baghdad," he told BBC radio.
"That policy will not be altered whether the inspectors go in or not," he added.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell earlier emphatically dismissed an invitation by Iraq to the chief United Nations weapons inspector to visit Baghdad to discuss the resumption of inspections halted in December 1998.
The initiative came amid growing speculation that US President George W. Bush was considering military action to overthrow the Iraqi leader.
Powell, speaking to reporters ahead of meetings with Philippine officials in Manila, accused Iraqis of attempting to "change the goalposts" and wriggle out of their obligations.
AFP