From ABC
news Australia:

Bush open to use of force in Iran

US President George W Bush has refused to rule out the use of force against
Iran over the Islamic republic’s resumption of nuclear activities.

In an interview with Israeli television, Mr Bush was asked if the use of
force was an alternative to diplomatic efforts.

Mr Bush replied: “All options are on the table.”

“The use of force is the last option for any president. We have used force
in the recent past to secure our country,” he said.

“I have been willing to do so as a last resort in order to secure the
country and provide the opportunity for people to live in free societies.”

Mr Bush was speaking from his ranch in Crawford, Texas to a reporter from
Israeli public television.

The Jewish state has accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons and
believes it is the prime target of the alleged arms program.

The international community was waiting for Tehran’s response after urging
the Iranian Government to halt its uranium conversion activities, which it
resumed on Monday.

Diplomacy doubts

Mr Bush expressed doubts that the European Union (EU) initiative to defuse
the crisis through diplomatic means would succeed.

“The Iranians refused to comply with the demands of the free world which
is: do not, in any way shape or form, have a program that could lead to a
nuclear weapon,” he said.

“In this particular instance the EU three – Britain, France and Germany –
have taken the lead in helping to send the message, a unified message, to the
Iranians.

“In all these instances we want diplomacy to work and so we are working
feverishly on the diplomatic route and, you know, we will see if we are
successful or not. As you know I’m sceptical.”

On Thursday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed an EU
resolution expressing “serious concern” at Iran’s resumption of uranium
conversion activities and set a September 3 date for an IAEA report on Iran’s
compliance.

Israel has been prodding Washington to adopt a tough stance on Iran and
charged that Iran resumed its uranium conversion activities because it had
sensed the “weakness” of the international community.

We have heard this rhetoric before from Bush. He used it prior to invading
Iraq and used it last summer when things were heating up with Iran. Good way to
put Iran on the defensive George. Now they might move towards nuclear weapons
development and not just energy!