President Bush on Monday urged Iran to accept a “reasonable offer” of incentives to resume nuclear talks, but warned of “progressively stronger” sanctions if Tehran refuses.
“We have presented a reasonable offer,” Bush said in a commencement address at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.
“If Iran’s leaders want peace and prosperity and a more hopeful future for their people, they should accept our offer,abandon any ambitions to obtain nuclear weapons, and come into compliance with their international obligations.”
White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said the president’s remarks were intended to “tee up” talks about Iran at Wednesday’s U.S.-European Union summit in Vienna. Bush is planning to urge European leaders to stand firm against Iran’s push to enrich nuclear material for possible use in weapons.
The international community has offered Tehran a light water nuclear reactor and expanded trade opportunities if it stops enriching uranium and returns to the negotiating table.
On Friday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he would “carefully consider” the package of incentives, which he called a “step forward.” He promised to render a decision in “due time.”
Bush made clear that failure to accept the offer would trigger a variety of punitive measures, including a referral to the United Nations.
“If Iran’s leaders reject our offer, it will result in action before the Security Council, further isolation from the world and progressively stronger political and economic sanctions,” he warned.
The president was blunt in his criticism of the Tehran regime.
“The leaders of Iran sponsor terror, deny liberty and human rights to their people and threaten the existence of our ally Israel,” he said.
By contrast, Bush lavished praise on the Iranian people and said they are entitled to freedom.
“The people of Iran,” he said, “deserve an opportunity to determine their own future, an economy that rewards their intelligence and talents, and a society that allows them to pursue their dreams.”
To that end, Bush said the U.S. would spend $75 million this year expanding pro-democracy radio and television broadcasts into Iran.
