In Iran, a proud people is held hostage by a small clerical elite that denies basic liberties, sponsors terrorism, and pursues nuclear weapons, Bush said, at a speech at the Purana Qila in New Dehli at the end of his trip to India.
The U.S. must not pretend that the people of Iran prefer their own enslavement, Bush said, adding that Washington had to stand with reformers and dissidents and civil society organisations until the Iranian people could determine their own future and choose their own leaders.
These people may not gain their liberty overnight, but history is on their side, he added.
Last week, in Washington, Bush described Iran as a premier state sponsor of terrorism and declared that it would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
We’re not going to allow Iran to have nuclear weapons, Bush said, adding that Tehrans aggressive behaviour and pursuit of nuclear weapons was increasing its international isolation.
Freedom in the Middle East requires freedom for the Iranian people, he said.
