“I believe it is very important that we solve this issue diplomatically and my decision today is that the United States is going to take a leadership position in solving this issue,” Bush told reporters at the White House.
“I believe this problem can be solved diplomatically, and I want to give it every effort to do so,” the US leader said, saying that the United States would engage in “robust diplomacy” to end the standoff.
The US president added, however, that Washington will hold fast to its insistence that Iran abandon its alleged efforts to create a nuclear weapon.
“Our message to the Iranians is that one, you won’t have a weapon. And two, that you must verifiably suspend any programs at which point we will come to the negotiating table to work on a way forward,” the president said.
“You’re seeing robust diplomacy,” Bush added.
“I believe this problem can be solved diplomatically, and I’m going to give it every effort to do so.”
The US leader added that he has conferred on the issue in recent days with the heads of several key nations, including France, Britain, Russia and Japan.
“I’m on the phone a lot talking to our folks that share the same concern I share, and saying, ‘look, let’s get this solved diplomatically’,” said Bush.
“But there must be a united international front.”
