MOSCOW, April 3 (Reuters) - The United States could not defeat Iran although its military forces in the Gulf are capable of striking the Islamic republic, Russia's top general told local media on Tuesday.

"It is possible to damage Iran's military and industrial potential, but it is impossible to win," Interfax news agency quoted General Yuri Baluyevsky, head of the Russian general staff, as saying.

"However, such possible strikes (on Iran) would be a huge political mistake," he said.

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