Bush said he would rather resolve the standoff diplomatically
18 January 2005 -- U.S. President George W. Bush has said he would not rule out military action against Iran if that country is not more cooperative over its suspected nuclear weapons program.
Speaking on U.S. television last night, Bush said he would rather resolve the standoff with Iran diplomatically. But he said he will never rule out any option.
"I hope we can solve it diplomatically, but I will never take any option off the table," he said.
Iran denies it is trying to build nuclear weapons and says its nuclear program is for energy purposes only.
Bush's comments come after his administration denied it is sending special forces into Iran to carry out secret reconnaissance missions to identify potential nuclear and other targets. The allegations were made in an article by Seymour Hersh, who last year uncovered the Abu Ghurayb prisoner-abuse scandal.
The Pentagon described his article as filled with "inaccuracies."
(Reuters)
"I hope we can solve it diplomatically, but I will never take any option off the table," he said.
Iran denies it is trying to build nuclear weapons and says its nuclear program is for energy purposes only.
Bush's comments come after his administration denied it is sending special forces into Iran to carry out secret reconnaissance missions to identify potential nuclear and other targets. The allegations were made in an article by Seymour Hersh, who last year uncovered the Abu Ghurayb prisoner-abuse scandal.
The Pentagon described his article as filled with "inaccuracies."
(Reuters)