Iran: Bush won't take military action off table
US President George Bush today said that “all options are on the table” to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons, but said he will continue to focus on the international diplomatic option to persuade Tehran to drop its nuclear ambitions.
“We want to solve this issue diplomatically and we’re working hard to do so,” Bush told reporters in the Rose Garden.
Bush also said there should be a unified effort involving countries “who recognise the danger of Iran having a nuclear weapon”, and he noted that US officials are working closely with nations such as Great Britain, France and Germany on the issue.
As Bush spoke, diplomats from six countries converged in Moscow to map out the next step toward solving the Iranian nuclear stand-off.
The US and Britain say that if Iran does not comply with the UN Security Council’s April 28 deadline to stop uranium enrichment, they will seek a resolution that would make the demand compulsory but Russia and China remain wary of sanctions.
Bush said he intends to call on Chinese President Hu Jintao to step up pressure on Iran when the two leaders meet Thursday at the White House.
Iran has so far refused to give up uranium enrichment, which the US and some of its allies suspect is meant to produce weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
Bush was asked if his administration was planning for the possibility of a nuclear strike against Iranian nuclear facilities.
“All options are on the table,” he said.
