German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) with President Bush

President Bush says the international community should take seriously Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's threats concerning Israel and Tehran's nuclear program.

Mr. Bush's comments were published Sunday in the German weekly "Bild am Sonntag."  The U.S. president told the newspaper that threats by the Iranian leader to destroy Israel are aimed at an ally of the the United States and Germany. 

Mr. Bush says Mr. Ahmadinejad's readiness to destroy a country implicitly threatens other nations, and such a threat must be dealt with.  He added that all options, including military action should be considered to compel Tehran to halt its controversial nuclear program.  But President Bush said he believes a diplomatic solution is possible if the international community works hard and remains united.

Mr. Bush, who held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the White House last Thursday, called the German leader a key partner in the international drive to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.