Bush: U.S. may use force against Iran
All options are on the table, American president says in interview with Israel’s Channel One
U.S. President George W. Bush said on Israeli television he could consider using force as a last resort to press Iran to give up its nuclear programme.
"All options are on the table,” Bush, speaking at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, said in the interview broadcast on Channel One Saturday.
Asked if that included the use of force, Bush replied: “As I say, all options are on the table. The use of force is the last option for any president and you know, we’ve used force in the recent past to secure our country."
Iran resumed work at a uranium conversion plant on Monday after rejecting a European Union offer of political and economic incentives in return for giving up its nuclear programme.
It says it aims only to produce electricity and denies Western accusations it is seeking a nuclear bomb.
France: Negotiations still possible
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on Friday that negotiations were still possible with Iran on condition the Iranians suspend their nuclear activities.
The governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) unanimously called on Iran on Thursday to halt sensitive atomic work.
Douste-Blazy said the next step would be on Sept. 3 when IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei reports on Iran’s activities.
If Iran continues to defy global demands, another IAEA meeting will likely be held, where both Europe and Washington will push for a referral to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.
