Bush - No peace with Iran developing nuclear arms

WASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) US President George W Bush applauded German Chancellor Angela Merkel's support for UN Security Council sanctions against Iran, saying he did not see peace with Tehran developing nuclear weapons.

The resolution was an important message that ''the free world wants there to be a peaceful future, but we don't see a peaceful future with the Iranians developing a nuclear weapon,'' Bush said after meeting with Merkel at the White House yesterday.

A sanctions resolution adopted unanimously by the United Nations last month restricted Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and technology in an attempt to pressure Tehran to halt nuclear activities and resume talks aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions.

The United States suspect Tehran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, a charge Iran denies.

REUTERS SRS PM0552