White House won't seek sanctions for Iran -- yet

Chicago Sun Times:

President Bush said Tuesday he was ''deeply suspicious'' of Iran but was not ready to seek United Nations sanctions against Tehran for its suspected nuclear weapons program.

Speaking to reporters at his Texas ranch, Bush said the newly elected president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, had indicated a willingness to continue discussions with European nations.

''The man said he wanted to negotiate,'' Bush said. He added that if Iran does not cooperate, U.N. sanctions are ''a potential consequence.''

While expressing a willingness to talk, Ahmadinejad named Ali Larijani, one of the most hard-line elements in the Islamic government, to head the negotiations.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency is likely to issue a resolution by Thursday urging Tehran to again suspend its nuclear activities.