Xinhua - English

Special report: Iran Nuclear Crisis
Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday that the United States will respond "firmly" if Iran escalates its "military action" in strife-stricken Iraq.

"If Iran escalates its military action in Iraq to the detriment of our troops and/or innocent Iraqi people, we will respond firmly," Bush said in an interview with the National Public Radio.

Earlier on Monday, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe urged Iran to quit playing a "destructive" role in Iraq and to play a constructive role instead.

"If Iran wants to quit playing a destructive role in the affairs of Iraq and wants to play a constructive role, we would certainly welcome that," Johnroe said.

However, "We've seen little evidence to date and frankly all we have seen is evidence to the contrary," Johndroe said.

The strong U.S. reaction came after Hassan Kazemi Qumi, Iran's ambassador to Baghdad, outlined an ambitious plan on Sunday to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq, including an Iranian national bank branch in the heart of the capital.

The New York Times said that the plan has the potential to bring Iran into further conflict with the United States, which has detained a number of Iranian operatives in recent weeks and says it has proof of Iranian complicity in attacks on American and Iraqi forces.

The Bush administration has been warning Iran to stop meddling in Iraqi affairs. Iran has denied the charges.

Bush warns Iran, Syria, Hezbollah over Lebanon violence

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush warned Iran, Syria and Hezbollah on Monday over recent violence in Lebanon and claimed they are working to destabilize Lebanon.

"While Lebanon's friends seek to help the Lebanese government build a free, sovereign, and prosperous country, Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are working to destabilize Lebanese society," Bush said in a statement.