US President George W Bush warned Iran Monday that the United States will "confront those who threaten our troops" and defend its allies and interests in the Gulf.
Bush, in excerpts of his State of the Union speech provided by the White House, also urged Tehran to suspend its uranium enrichment programme, embrace political reforms, and "cease your support for terror abroad."
"But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf," he said.
His message echoed US warnings about an early January face-off between US and Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz and came as Washington pushed for new UN sanctions against Tehran over its disputed nuclear programme.
"Our message to the people of Iran is clear: We have no quarrel with you, we respect your traditions and your history, and we look forward to the day when you have your freedom," said Bush.
"Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear: Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home, and cease your support for terror abroad," he said.
Bush was to deliver the speech at 9 pm (0200 GMT Tuesday). The White House said it would be his final State of the Union address before leaving office in January 2009.
Earlier US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said a new UN resolution against Iran should deepen current sanctions and could pave the way for other action over its nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, the Security Council held informal talks on a draft text agreed last week by foreign ministers of the council's five veto-wielding permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany.
Asked if the text hammered out in Germany last week fell short of US expectations, Rice replied it was "no secret that a resolution of that kind is a negotiated product" that reconciles different views.
Source: AFP, Washington
Bush, in excerpts of his State of the Union speech provided by the White House, also urged Tehran to suspend its uranium enrichment programme, embrace political reforms, and "cease your support for terror abroad."
"But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf," he said.
His message echoed US warnings about an early January face-off between US and Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz and came as Washington pushed for new UN sanctions against Tehran over its disputed nuclear programme.
"Our message to the people of Iran is clear: We have no quarrel with you, we respect your traditions and your history, and we look forward to the day when you have your freedom," said Bush.
"Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear: Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home, and cease your support for terror abroad," he said.
Bush was to deliver the speech at 9 pm (0200 GMT Tuesday). The White House said it would be his final State of the Union address before leaving office in January 2009.
Earlier US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said a new UN resolution against Iran should deepen current sanctions and could pave the way for other action over its nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, the Security Council held informal talks on a draft text agreed last week by foreign ministers of the council's five veto-wielding permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany.
Asked if the text hammered out in Germany last week fell short of US expectations, Rice replied it was "no secret that a resolution of that kind is a negotiated product" that reconciles different views.
Source: AFP, Washington
