Bush says position on Iran unchanged

WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush says he's never wavered on Iran -- if it verifiably suspends its uranium enrichment program, negotiations could begin.

"(If) the Iranians verifiably suspend their enrichment, which would be a key measure to stop them from gaining the know-how to build a weapon, then they could come to the table and the United States would be at the table," Bush said in an interview airing Monday on NBC's "Today" show.

Bush said he doubted Iran's position in the world was on the rise because of his Iraqi policy.

"I think Iran is troubled by the fact that a young democracy is growing in Iraq," he said. "You know, this notion about somehow if Saddam Hussein were in power, everything would be fine in the Middle East, is a ludicrous notion. "

Bush said talk of his finishing his term with a military action of some kind against Iran is "highly speculative."

"I've always made it clear that options are on the table, but, you know, the biggest weapon we have against those who can't stand freedom is the advance of freedom," he said on "Today."