Bush says US taking leadership role on Iran

WASHINGTON, May 31 (Reuters) President George W Bush said today the United States was taking a ''leadership position'' to resolve the Iran nuclear dispute diplomatically with its new offer to possibly join European talks with Tehran.

Bush spoke after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in a policy shift, said the United States would open talks with Iran if Tehran verifiably suspended nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities.

Reuters CH VP0014