Ex-CIA chief: Strike on Iran seems more likely now

WASHINGTON -- A former CIA director said military action against Iran now seems more likely because no matter what the U.S. does diplomatically, Tehran keeps pushing ahead with its suspected nuclear program.

Michael Hayden, a CIA chief under former president George W. Bush, said that during his tenure a strike was "way down the list" of options. But he told CNN's "State of the Union" that such action now "seems inexorable."

He predicted Iran will build its program to the point where it's just below having an actual weapon. Hayden said that would be as destabilizing to the region as the real thing.

U.S. officials have said military action remains an option if sanctions fail to deter Iran.

Iran said its nuclear work is for peaceful purposes such as power generation.