(IranMania) - US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone and agreed to close ranks on Iran and North Korea, a White House official said, according to AFP.
"The presidents agreed on the importance of remaining united in their efforts to press Iran to suspend all enrichment activities and begin negotiations on the incentive package," the official said, reports Trend.
"The presidents also discussed the potential North Korean launch and plan to remain in contact on the issue," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The United States and its partners, Britain, France, Germany as well as Russia and China, have made Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities a condition for talks on Tehran's atomic program.
Iran, which denies US charges that it seeks nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian atomic program, said Monday it was preparing a counter-offer as officials rejected that key stipulation.
The United States has warned North Korea against a missile launch and engaged in intense consultations at the UN Security Council and elsewhere Monday.
Reports that the Stalinist country is moving toward a launch of its Taepodong 2 missile have caused concern across East Asia and the Pacific.