US President Bush denied claims made on 1 January that a temporary relaxing of certain sanctions against Iran in the wake of the 26 December earthquake in southeastern Iran indicated a possible policy change. Bush has agreed to relax certain sanctions for 90 days so that US aid can reach Iran faster and money can be transferred to the country. The relaxation will allow US citizens and non-governmental organisations to help victims without special authorisation from the US government. 'What we are doing in Iran is that we are showing the Iranian people that American people care, that we have great compassion for human suffering,' Bush said on 1 January. 'We appreciate the fact the Iranian government is willing to allow our humanitarian aid flights into their country.'