US President George W. Bush on Thursday praised Iran's willingness to accept US humanitarian flights into the country but sought to keep pressure on Tehran by urging it to abandon nuclear weapons and turn over suspected al-Qaeda militants.
"The Iranian government must listen to the voices of those who long for freedom, must turn over al-Qaeda [members] that are in their custody and must abandon their nuclear weapons program," Bush said.
"In the meantime, we appreciate the fact the Iranian government is willing to allow our humanitarian aid flights into their country," he said. "And it's a good thing to do. It's right to take care of people when they hurt, and we're doing that."
Bush two years ago branded Iran as part of an "axis of evil" along with prewar Iraq and North Korea.
US relief efforts in the aftermath of the Dec. 26 Bam earthquake seemed to have prompted something of a thaw in the frosty relationship between Washington and Tehran.
In one possible sign, Bush ordered an easing of some sanctions on Iran to speed the flow of humanitarian relief for victims of the earthquake in which up to 50,000 people may have been killed.
The Washington Post reported yesterday that the US has approached Iran about sending a high-level humanitarian mission to Tehran headed by US Senator Elizabeth Dole, a North Carolina Republican, and including an unspecified member of the Bush family.
The team would carry additional assistance for earthquake survivors, the paper said, citing US and Iranian officials.
The overture, made by Washington on Tuesday, awaits a response from the government of President Mohammad Khatami, the newspaper said.
The mission would be the first public US official visit since the 1979-81 hostage ordeal, when Iranian students held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
Dole, a former head of the American Red Cross, independently contacted the State Department about traveling to Iran with a Red Cross team to provide more aid, The Post said.
The newspaper said the administration embraced the proposal "and began exploring the idea of expanding the mission to include an as-yet unspecified member of the Bush family, and others."
The State Department had no immediate comment. Dole could not be immediately reached.
A Bush administration official earlier this week said the issue of opening a dialogue with Iran was under consideration by Bush but emphasized Washington would like to see a some action from the Iranian government to show its good faith.
Iran and the US have not had formal diplomatic ties for more than two decades.
Secretary of State Colin Powell this week told The Post he saw "encouraging" signs from Iran that might lead to an opening up of a dialogue but he said, "We still have concerns."
Asked if he saw signs the Iranian government was doing anything that could lead to better ties, Bush said it was his "hope" Tehran would address Washington's concerns.
"And as well, it's very important for them to listen to those voices in their country who are demanding freedom," he said. "And we stand strongly with those who demand freedom."
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