Iran launches military exercise

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert shake hands after their Oval Office meeting at the White House in Washington Nov. 13, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday that Iran must stop its nuclear uranium enrichment program or it will face international "economic isolation."

    "It's very important for the world to unite to say to the Iranians if you continue to move forward you will be isolated," Bush told reporters after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

    Bush also rejected direct talks with Tehran unless it suspends its nuclear program. "If the Iranians want to have a dialogue with us, we have shown them the way forward, that is, for them to verifiably suspend their enrichment activities," Bush said.

    Sharing his viewpoint with Bush, Olmert said "our position is that we must do everything in our power to make sure the Iranians do not cross a technological threshold that would allow them to develop nuclear weapons."

    Israel and the United States have "complete understanding" on Iran's nuclear issues, Olmert said.

    Olmert said here earlier in the day that Israel will not accept a nuclear-armed Iran. "We will not tolerate the possession of nuclear weapons by Iran," Olmert told NBC television's "Today Show" program.

    Asked whether Israel will consider a preemptive strike targeting Tehran's nuclear facilities, Olmert said: "I hope we don't have to reach that stage," noting his first choice is a negotiated resolution.

    "Every compromise that will stop Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, which will be acceptable to President Bush, would be acceptable to me," Olmert said.

    Israel believes itself the designated target of nuclear and ballistic missile activities in Iran, whose president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has called for Israel to be wiped off the map.

    Bush, a staunch supporter of Israel, vows to prevent Iran from having nuclear weapons.

    Iranian leaders have pledged to defend its legal nuclear rights, insisting its nuclear program is solely for civilian energy purposes.

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