In an interview with Channel 2 broadcast on Saturday, United States President George Bush said that the United States would defend Israel in case of an Iranian nuclear attack.  However, Bush said he did not believe an attack was imminent.

Bush said Iran still poses a danger despite a recent US intelligence report suggesting the country had frozen its nuclear program.  He said it was important to take Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s threats seriously.

Bush will visit the Middle East next week, and will spend two days in Israel.  During that time he plans to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and senior Palestinian Authority officials in an attempt to push forward negotiations on the creation of a PA state.