"I see a threat in Iran," Bush said Monday, answering a question after a speaking engagement in Cleveland, Ohio. "The threat from Iran is, of course, their stated objective to destroy our strong ally Israel. That's a threat, a serious threat. It's a threat to world peace; it's a threat, in essence, to a strong alliance. I made it clear, I'll make it clear again, that we will use military might to protect our ally, Israel."
Bush stressed, though, that diplomacy was America's preferred mode of operation.
During the first Gulf War, the U.S. also promised to defend Israel. The practical assistance Israel received, though, in the form of sometimes-effective Patriot defense missiles, was paid for by Israel's agreement not to defend itself against Saddam Hussein's unprovoked Scud missile attacks.
Members of the United Nations' Security Council, America, Russia, China, France and Germany, met Monday to formulate diplomatic measures against Iran. Officials involved report that Russia and China have not yet agreed to cooperate with action against Iran, but have given indications that they may in the future.
At the beginning of March, Iran's UN representative dealing with nuclear matters, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, threatened the U.S., saying, "The United States is also susceptible to harm and pain. So if that is the path that the U.S. wishes to choose, let the ball roll."
The U.S. suspects that Iran has funneled weapons into Iraq to support the local guerilla war against U.S. troops stationed there.