The United States yesterday denied reports of a diplomatic rift with its closest European ally-- Britain, over the issues of Syria and Iran.

Describing Monday's remarks by British Prime Minister Tony Blair as "a very good speech," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told a news briefing: "I didn't hear anything that was a particularly new policy statement there."

Blair said on Monday that the West should "offer Iran a clear strategic choice: they help the Middle East peace process, not hinder it; they stop supporting terrorism in Lebanon or Iraq; they abide by, not flout, their international obligations.

He also noted that any solution to the Iraq crisis must involve a "whole Middle East" strategy that starts with addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and includes pressuring Iran to stop backing radical extremists across the entire Middle East.

Blair's remarks were seen by some observers as an attempt to influence the U.S. policy in the Middle East, at a time when changes in the Iraq strategy are being expected following the Republican's defeat in the U.S. mid-term elections.

However, in its statement on Tuesday, the White House denied the claims, stressing "Prime Minister Blair's policy is not new and is similar to President Bush's policy."

Bush said on Monday after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the White House that talks with Iran were only possible if Tehran halted its nuclear program.