WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Thursday that part of the reason for his trip to the Middle East this month is "absolutely" about efforts to contain Iran's influence in the region.

Bush said that on his trip that starts next week to Israel and Arab countries he expects questions about a U.S. National Intelligence Estimate last month that said Iran had stopped its nuclear weapons program in 2003.

"I will clarify to them that the NIE means that Iran is still a danger," he said in an interview at the White House with Reuters. "I will remind them that a country that can suspend a program can easily start a program."

(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by Frances Kerry)

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