U.S. President George W. Bush phoned German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday and discussed Iran's nuclear issue, Hamas and conflicts in Sudan with her, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

"They talked about our shared commitment to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon," McClellan said.

"They also discussed the importance of Hamas renouncing, making a decision to renounce violence and recognize Israel's right to exist," McClellan said.

They also discussed Sudan's Darfur region as well as Bush's recent trip to India and Pakistan, the spokesman said.

The telephone discussion came after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sent an assessment report on Iran's program to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.

The U.N. Security Council, which has the authority to impose sanctions, is expected to debate Iran's nuclear issue from next week.

Source: Xinhua