Bush calls for suspension of Iran's peaceful nuclear activities

US President George W. Bush yesterday called once again on Iran to suspend its peaceful nuclear activities.

Speaking at joint press briefing with Chancellor Angela Merkel in the northeast German town of Stralsund, Bush said, "I made it clear to the Iranians that if they were to do what they said they would do which is to stop enrichment in a verifiable fashion, we are more than pleased to come back to the table."

Iran has repeatedly made clear that it will not accept any pre-conditions for talks on its peaceful nuclear activities.

Bush accused Iran again of pursuing a military nuclear program without providing any evidence for such claims. Numerous inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog agency have found no evidence whatsoever that Iran is following a military nuclear program.

"The key first step is common goal which is no nuclear weapon program," Bush said.

The US has expressed willingness, according to the Washington Post, to provide Iran with nuclear technology and a nuclear reactor, if Iran stops making its own nuclear fuel and enters into negotiation about this. Iran said it rejects any preconditions for talks.