US says UN referral for Iran ‘absolutely’ necessary

The US said it was ‘absolutely’ crucial to refer the row over Iran’s nuclear program to the UN Security Council, but suggested the world body might wait before taking action.

President George W Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice both sought to maintain pressure on Iran 10 days before a key international meeting on Tehran’s suspected plans to build a nuclear bomb, Agence France-Presse reported.