Originally Posted by Condoleeza Rice

is not on the agenda at this point

Originally Posted by BBC News

American rhetoric about Iran has been stepped up because it wants to pressure the Iranian government to give up any ambition to build a nuclear bomb.

Talks are currently going on between Iran and three European countries - France, Germany and the UK - about Iran's nuclear programme.

The United States wants it to be known that there will be consequences in the event of failure.

These talks are likely to reach a conclusion one way or another in the summer. So there is still a window open for diplomacy.

Which is why the new US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a news conference in London that a US attack on Iran was "not on the agenda at this point."

That means, however, that it might get onto the agenda at a later point.


"Iran is the main threat to Israel in the long run"
Lt Gen Shaul Mofaz
Israeli Defence Minister

When political leaders do not rule something out, it is sensible to keep a look out.

Secretary Rice's comments follow the strong words used about Iran by President Bush in his State of the Union address when he declared: "And to the Iranian people, I say tonight: As you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you."

The United States has not declared hostilities against Iran. But it has declared hostility.