Bush lends support to Europe on Iran nuclear talks

Reuters: President George W. Bush lent support on Friday to European leaders trying to break a deadlock in talks with Iran over its nuclear program. France, Britain and Germany are trying to get Iran to agree to suspend sensitive nuclear work to avoid a referral to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions. Reuters

WASHINGTON – President George W. Bush lent support on Friday to European leaders trying to break a deadlock in talks with Iran over its nuclear program.

France, Britain and Germany are trying to get Iran to agree to suspend sensitive nuclear work to avoid a referral to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions.

At a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the White House, Bush praised Blair’s efforts to try to achieve a deal.

“We don’t want Iran to have a nuclear weapon and we’re working toward that end,” Bush said. “And the truth of the matter is the prime minister gets a lot of credit for working with France and Germany to convince the Iranians to get rid of the processes that would enable them to develop a nuclear weapon.”

The United States accuses Iran of secretly trying to build nuclear weapons — an accusation denied by Tehran.