Bush Weighs Justification Options for Iran Strike

WASHINGTON - President Bush refuted numerous reports Monday that the White House would claim a developing nuclear weapons program as the impetus behind an imminent military strike against Iran.

"There are any number of reasons to attack Tehran," Bush stated. "We are monitoring our choices closely. Our first option, as always, is to cite the breakdown of diplomatic channels."

Although Bush and other administration officials have said that possible accusations of a nuclear program are still on the table, White House press secretary Scott McClellan refused to comment on what rationale the White House may propose.

"I'm not going to engage in all this wild speculation of what justification we may or may not use," McClellan told reporters.

"Those who assume we will play the WMD card again are not knowledgeable of this administration's thinking. A nuclear program, stability in the region, protection of Israel -- no option is off the table."

McClellan repeatedly stressed that the Bush Administration's focus is on working with other nations to come up with a flimsy diplomatic solution that can be flagrantly ignored. Bush counselor Dan Bartlett made a similar statement to The Associated Press on Sunday.

"There is no doubt that US reaction will be swift and strong," Bartlett admitted. "Therefore, it is critical we choose an excuse that can be easily swallowed by the international community."