Bush urges Iran to stop enriching uranium

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday renewed his call for Iran to stop enriching uranium that could be used for nuclear weapons and said the United States would "confront those who threaten our troops."

"Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear: verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin," Bush said in excerpts of his State of the Union address to Congress.

The United States has refused to enter into direct talks with Tehran over its nuclear program until Iran proves that it has stopped enriching uranium, a key component for nuclear weapons. Iran has denied it is seeking nuclear weapons and instead says is pursuing civilian nuclear energy.

(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky, editing by Patricia Wilson)