WASHINGTON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Tuesday that it is pursuing a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear issue and military action is not on the agenda right now.

    "We are pursuing a diplomatic path. Secretary Rice, the president have made very clear that (military action) is not on the agenda at this point," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

    McCormack said that the focus right now for the United States is to keep the international community united to try to compel Iran to change its behavior.

    Both President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have said that they pursue a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear issue. However, they have not excluded the possibility of using force by vowing not to take any option "off the table."

    Iran has been defiant in the face of sanctions or military strikes, claiming that it will retaliate globally against the United States if it was under U.S. military action. Enditem