WASHINGTON, Aug 9: US President George Bush said on Monday that Iran "must abandon her nuclear ambitions" and vowed to stand with United States allies to pressure Tehran to do so.

"Iran must abandon her nuclear ambitions," Mr Bush said during a campaign event, stressing international diplomacy at a time when his Democratic White House rival, Senator John Kerry, has accused him of alienating US allies.

"We've got to continue to keep pressure on the government," said Mr Bush. He said that the United States was trying to promote a change of government in Iran, using radio broadcasts and urging Iranians living in the United States "to send message to their loved ones". -AFP