The UK Daily Mail on Sunday reports that British MPs were surprised to hear a visiting Pentagon official declare: “I hate all Iranians.”

Debra Cagan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Coalition Affairs to US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, made the comments this month to a meeting of six Members of Parliament. She also accused Britain of “dismantling” the Anglo-US-led coalition in Iraq by pulling troops out of Basra too soon.

The report says that although the statement about Iranians was an aside, “it was not out of keeping with her general demeanour.” “She seemed more keen on saying she didn’t like Iranians than that the US had no plans to attack Iran,” said one MP. “She did say there were no plans for an attack but the tone did not fit the words.” Another MP said: “I formed the impression that some in America are looking for an excuse to attack Iran. It was very alarming.”

The Pentagon denied Ms. Cagan said she “hated” Iranians. “She doesn’t speak that way,” said an official.

But when The Mail on Sunday spoke to four of the six MPs, three confirmed privately that Cagain made the remark and one declined to comment. The other two could not be contacted.

I have to hand it to Ms. Cagan for being much more honest on the subject than most officials.