Britain version: military action against Iran is inconceivable

Military action against Iran is inconceivable, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Wednesday, adding that he hoped diplomacy could still end the international standoff over the country's nuclear program.

U.S. President George W. Bush, whose government believes Iran intends to produce atomic weapons, has refused the rule out military strikes. Iran insists its nuclear program is designed for generating electricity, but the United States and others accuse it of seeking to develop atomic weapons. Britain, France and Germany are leading European Union diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment activities. Uranium enriched to low levels can be used as fuel in nuclear reactors to generate electricity, but further enrichment makes it suitable for a nuclear bomb, informs the AP.