Democrats warn Bush on attacking Iran (2nd Roundup)

Jan 19, 2007, 20:05 GMT

Washington - Congressional Democrats are seeking to influence US foreign policy on Iran, saying Friday that US President George W Bush must get congressional approval before launching any military strike.

Bush has previously said he has no intention of using military force in the dispute over Iran's nuclear activities, but has not ruled out the option.

Speculation Bush was considering an assault on Iran grew after he said the United States will take steps to halt Iran's meddling in Iraq and its alleged support of attacks on US soldiers. The White House has dismissed the speculation.

Democrats have been trying to assert themselves over foreign policy since taking control of Congress from Bush's Republicans earlier this month and want to make clear that the authorization for the war in Iraq cannot be used to justify an attack against Iran.

'Much has been made about President Bush's recent sabre-rattling toward Iran,' Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday. 'The president does not have the authority to launch military action in Iran without first seeking congressional authorization.'

When Bush outlined his revised strategy for Iraq in a major speech January 10, he also announced he had ordered another aircraft carrier battle group into the Persian Gulf, fuelling talk of military action.

'There seems to be fanning of flames where there is no fire,' White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Friday of Reid's remarks.

Perino added that the Iranians continue to meddle in Iraq and that 'we'll deal with that inside Iraq.'

Under the US Consitution, only Congress has the power to declare war, but presidents have historically argued they can use force as necessary as commander in chief of the US military. Congress has not declared war since World War II.