"We look forward to today when Iran joins in the hopeful changes taking place across the region. We look forward to the day when the Iranian people are free," Bush said in a speech at the US National Defense University.

Bush also reiterated his support for joint European talks with Iran about its nuclear program.

"Progress in the Middle East is threatened by weapons of mass destruction and their proliferation," he said. "Today Great Britain, France and Germany are involved in a difficult negotiation with Iran aimed at stopping its nuclear weapons program.

"We want our allies to succeed, because we share the view that Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons would be destabilizing and threatening to all of Iran's neighbors," he said.

"The Iranian regime should listen to the concerns of the world and listen to the voice of the Iranian people who long for their liberty and want their country to be a respected member of the international community," Bush added.

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