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Politics

Bush sends Iran warning on Iraq

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published January 30, 2007

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Monday that the United States "will respond firmly" if Iran escalates military action in Iraq and endangers American forces. But he emphasized he has no intention of invading Iran.

Bush also acknowledged skepticism concerning U.S. intelligence about Iran, because Washington was wrong in accusing Iraq of harboring weapons of mass destruction before the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. "I'm like a lot of Americans that say, 'Well, if it wasn't right in Iraq, how do you know it's right in Iran?' " the president said.

In an interview with National Public Radio, Bush said the United States was "constantly evaluating and answering this legitimate question by always working to get as good intelligence as we can."

The United States and Iran are sharply at odds over Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program, and the two nations increasingly are arguing about Iraq, where both countries are seeking influence. The White House said last week that American troops in Iraq have been authorized to kill or capture Iranian agents deemed to be a threat. Iran's ambassador to Iraq followed up by telling the New York Times that Tehran plans to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq.

The United States accuses Iran of supplying terrorists and insurgents in Iraq with improvised explosive devices that have become the most lethal threat to U.S. forces.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said Bush does not have authority to launch military action in Iran without first seeking congressional authorization.

Bush told NPR he had no intention of going into Iran.

"This is the kind of thing that happens in Washington," the president said. "People ascribe, you know, motives to me beyond a simple statement - 'Of course we'll protect our troops.' I don't know how anybody can then say, 'Well, protecting the troops means that we're going to invade Iran.' "

Bush said it was important to distinguish the nuclear standoff with Iran from the quarrel over Tehran's involvement in Iraq. He said he believed the dispute over Iran's nuclear program could be resolved diplomatically.

[Last modified January 30, 2007, 00:26:23]