France Calls for More Sanctions on Iran for Developing Nuclear Arms
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Tuesday that Iran was continuing to develop nuclear weapons and called for stronger sanctions against Tehran.
"Iran is pursuing the development of its nuclear arms, I have no doubt about it," he told French television I-Tele. "The last report by the International Atomic Energy Agency is quite explicit on this point."
"This is why France, without closing the path of negotiation and dialogue with Iran, wants stricter sanctions," he added.
He said French President Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed a freezing of assets of Iran's central bank and an embargo on exports of Iranian oil, a move also being considered by the European Union.
Tensions have risen in recent days after Iran -- which insists its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes -- test-fired a series of missiles near the key Gulf oil supply route of the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: Agence France Presse
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