American President George W. Bush promised Israel Wednesday that "we would support Israel" if Israel is attacked. However, he did not refer to the possibility of preventing an Iranian attack by a pre-emptive strike. Israel has said that the development of nuclear power in Iran represents a direct threat to Israel.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said several times that Israel "should be wiped off the map" and that the Jewish state is "doomed." President Bush stated Wednesday, "I would take his words seriously."