Looks like the United States will not be alone in pushing for tough sanctions on Iran. Both French and German leaders have warned Iran that it could face new sanctions if it does not show a willingness to negotiate on its nuclear program. Speaking after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, stated, “If there is no positive answer by September we will have to consider further measures.” Expressing similar sentiments, the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, in his annual address to France’s ambassadors, cautioned Iran that if there were no change in their stance, “the question of very substantial strengthening of sanctions will be clearly asked.” He also criticized the leadership of Iran. “It is the same leaders in Iran who say that the nuclear program is peaceful and that the elections were honest. Who can believe them?,” Sarkozy said.
The United States has given Iran until September to give up nuclear enrichment or face tougher sanctions.
