Bush sees Iran as possible greatest threat

US President George Bush today said Iran may pose the greatest challenge to the United States and diplomacy to thwart the Islamic nation’s nuclear programme must prevail to avoid confrontation.

In a 49-page national security report, the president reaffirmed the strike-first, or pre-emptive policy he first outlined in 2002.

Diplomacy is the US preference in halting the spread of nuclear and other heinous weapons, Bush said.

“If necessary, however, under long-standing principles of self-defence, we do not rule out the use of force before attacks occur – even if uncertainty remains as to the time and place of the enemy’s attack,” Bush wrote.

“When the consequences of an attack with weapons of mass destruction are potentially so devastating, we cannot afford to stand idly by as grave dangers materialise.

“The place of pre-emption in our national security strategy remains the same.”

The White House plans to release the National Security Strategy report in conjunction with a speech by Bush national security adviser Stephen Hadley, at the US Institute of Peace.