William J. Fallon, head of the US Central Command (Centcom). (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

William J. Fallon, head of the US Central Command (Centcom) that oversees war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, is resigning because his policy difference with top policy-makers was "misperceived" by media.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates made the announcement Tuesday, saying Fallon asked for permission to retire and was accepted by the secretary.

Gate said Fallon wanted to leave because he felt that the "ongoing misperceptions" about differences between his ideas and policy-makers on Iran are making it too difficult for him to operate.

He added that the differences are not extreme, but the misperception had become "too great".

"I don't know whether he was misinterpreted or whether people attributed views to him that were not his views, but clearly there was a concern," Gates added.

The development is linked to an article published last week in Esquire magazine that portrayed Fallon as opposed to President George W. Bush's Iran policy.

It described Fallon as "a lone voice against taking military action to stop the Iranian nuclear program."

Fallon, 63, has had a 41-year Navy career.

He took the Centcom post on March 16, 2007, succeeding John Abizaid, who retired.

Fallon previously served as commander of US Pacific Command.

US President George W. Bush is introduced by William J. Fallon (L), Commander of Centcom, after a briefing on the war in Iraq during a visit to Centcom in Tampa, Florida, May 1, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

It was often reported that he and Gen. David Petraeus butt heads about troop levels in Iraq, which the two denied, but was an ongoing dispute that simmered below the surface within the Pentagon.

Fallon is responsible for not only Iraq and Afghanistan.

The article noted that the troop numbers were so taxed in Iraq that it was hurting operations in Afghanistan.

Centcom's second-in-command Martin Dempsey now temporarily takes over Fallon's post but a permanent successor is yet to be selected by Gates.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2008)