Bush Issues U.N. Threat To Iran

President Says If Iran Continues Uranium Enrichment, World Will Act

(CBS/AP) 
In the recent showdown about Iran's nuclear ambitions, the Bush administration has given no signal a major shift was in the works and it was ready to engage Iran directly, Axelrod reports.

Iran's foreign minister welcomed the idea of direct talks, but rebuffed the U.S. condition that Tehran first must suspend uranium enrichment.

"Iran welcomes dialogue under just conditions but won't give up our rights," the state-run Iranian television quoted Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki as saying Thursday.

Mr. Bush said "the choice is up to the Iranians."

"They've already said, by the way, that they're willing to suspend," he said. "This gives them a second chance to make sure their words mean something."

The package outlined Wednesday by Rice would be on the table for any new talks including the United States. Previous talks among Iran, Britain, France and Germany foundered last year.

Iran insists its nuclear work is peaceful and aimed at developing a new energy source.

Rice would not directly answer questions about whether those nations are committed to tough measures if the U.S. overture doesn't work.

She spoke of "tactical differences" and said, "I think you can be sure that our friends and our partners understand the importance of the step and the importance that the Iranians must now see of making a choice and making that choice clearly."

"The Rice announcement certainly throws the ball in Tehran's court," said CBS News foreign affairs analyst Pamela Falk from the U.N., "but it forces Russia and China to agree to eventual sanctions if Iran does not comply, and it is still unclear if they have agreed to that condition."

"It also requires a suspension of uranium enrichment by Iran," added Falk, "and one can expect to hear a negative response from Tehran."