JERUSALEM, 13 August 2005 — US President George W. Bush refused to rule out the use of force against Iran over the Islamic republic’s resumption of nuclear activities, in an interview with Israeli television aired yesterday.

When asked if the use of force was an alternative to faltering diplomatic efforts, Bush said: “All options are on the table.” “The use of force is the last option for any president. You know we have used force in the recent past to secure our country,” he said in a clear reference to Iraq, which the United States invaded in March 2003. “I have been willing to do so as a last resort in order to secure the country and provide the opportunity for people to live in free societies,” he added.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said yesterday that negotiations were still possible with Iran to defuse tensions over Tehran’s resumption of sensitive nuclear work.

“The door is still open to negotiations, we are convinced,” he told reporters after an African aid meeting with UN officials in Geneva. “The international community is united in demanding that the Iranians suspend their nuclear activities.”

Iran resumed work at a uranium conversion plant on Monday after rejecting a European Union offer of political and economic incentives in return for giving up its nuclear program. It says it aims only to produce electricity and denies Western accusations it is seeking a nuclear bomb.

“We think that negotiations are still possible, in particular with the Europeans, under the condition that the Iranians suspend their activities,” Douste-Blazy said. The governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) unanimously called on Iran on Thursday to halt sensitive atomic work.

Douste-Blazy said the next step would be on Sept. 3 when IAEA chief Mohamed El-Baradei reports on Iran’s activities. “We are awaiting the report that will be completed by the director of the agency on Sept. 3 and we will see,” he said. If Iran continues to defy global demands, another IAEA meeting will likely be held, where both Europe and Washington will push for a referral to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.

In another development, top Iranian figure Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Iran’s decision to resume sensitive nuclear work was “irreversible” and warned that Western opposition to Iran’s program will “cost them dearly.” During a Friday sermon, he said: “You could drag things on but Iran’s decision is irreversible,” drawing chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” from the faithful.