Prime Minister Paul Martin had tough words for Iran today, telling NATO leaders that while diplomacy remains a top priority, the world must be prepared to take tougher measures.

The world community "must be prepared to stand behind its words with stronger measures," he told a NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium.

When questioned by reporters, Martin did not elaborate on what he meant by "stronger measures."

He said he would let his words stand for themselves.

Martin's remarks fall in line with those of the Bush administration, which has consistently spoken out about Iran's nuclear program.

U.S. President George Bush, speaking later in the day at a NATO news conference, sought to assure the world that he wasn't about to launch an attack on Iran.

"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous," Bush said.

"Having said that, all options are on the table."

In other NATO business, the group's 26 members agreed to contribute in some way to help train and equip Iraqi officers.

It was a modest win for Bush, who is using his trip to the NATO summit and Europe as a fence-mending tour.

Ottawa has previously said it will send 30 soldiers to neighbouring Jordan to help train Iraqi soldiers and will contribute $1 million to a NATO fund for training.

Former minister of foreign affairs, Lloyd Axworthy, said Canada should contribute to post-war Iraq, but warned Ottawa to keep its eyes open.

"George Bush is in Europe for one reason only. He needs an exit strategy from Iraq, and he wants NATO to be the way to replace American presence," Axworthy told CTV on Tuesday.

"This first step could lead to some much more serious circumstances."

Back in Brussels, Martin held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko Tuesday morning.

Canada sent hundreds of election observers to Ukraine in December to monitor the second vote, in which Yushchenko was declared the winner.

Martin was to return to Canada Tuesday evening, ahead of the release of the federal budget on Wednesday.

With files from The Associated Press