Iran has a choice to make on, says Bush

Washington: US President George W. Bush on Thursday warned Iran that it faced a “choice'' on Iraq and said that the United States would act to defend its interests there from any threats from Tehran.

“The regime in Tehran also has a choice to make: They can live in peace with its neighbour, enjoy strong economic and cultural and religious ties, or it can continue to arm and train and fund illegal militant groups which are terrorising the Iraqi people and turning them against Iran,'' he said.

“If Iran makes the right choice, America will encourage a peaceful relationship between Iran and Iraq. If Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests and our troops and our Iraqi partners,'' Bush said in a speech defending his handling of the war in Iraq.

He said he would suspend US troop withdrawals from Iraq this summer but cut the length of tours of duty, as he defended his war policy that will leave any resolution of the conflict to his successor.

Bush endorsed a recommendation by his commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, to complete a limited withdrawal of combat forces by July but then impose a 45-day freeze on the total number of troops at about 140,000 to assess the security situation before considering more cuts. “I've told him he'll have all the time he needs,'' Bush said.

The president, under pressure over strains on the US military, said the tour of duty for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan will be reduced to one year from 15 months.