Angela Merkel and George W. Bush answer reporters' questions during White House press conference, Friday

President Bush has called for a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear crisis.

At the White House Friday, Mr. Bush said Iran must not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon. He said it is logical that a country that has rejected diplomatic options would be referred to the United Nations Security Council.

Mr. Bush made those comments after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said the international community should not be intimidated by Iran.

Iran has threatened to end cooperation with the United Nations nuclear agency if Tehran's nuclear program is taken to the Security Council for possible sanctions. Iran announced earlier this week it was resuming nuclear fuel research.

China's U.N. ambassador said today that referring the matter to the United Nations might complicate the issue. Russia has urged Iran to resume its moratorium on nuclear activities and cooperate with the U.N. nuclear agency.