British Prime Minister Gordon Brown handed U.S. President George W. Bush good news on two fronts: a modest increase in Britain's troops for the tough Afghanistan fight and a fresh European effort to squeeze Iran's nuclear ambitions.

London's new commitment to Afghanistan would bring the British presence there to its highest level yet. The deployment of about 230 engineers, logistical staff and military trainers will boost the number of British forces to more than 8,000, most based in a volatile, front-line southern province.

Eager to claim leadership on a tough stance toward Iran, Brown also revealed that the European Union would agree to freeze the assets of Iran's largest bank, Bank Melli, which is accused of having links to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.