France backs sanctions resolution against Iran

France tonight urged a firm, unified response to the UN nuclear watchdog’s findings that Iran has again defied international demands to suspend uranium enrichment.

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s report today on Iran’s nuclear activities said that Iran expanded enrichment efforts instead of freezing them - a move which could trigger tougher UN sanctions.

“Unity and firmness are, I repeat, the only effective instruments we have to get Iran to turn toward the international community, and away from isolation,” French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told reporters tonight.

“We support a second resolution, to be passed unanimously by the Security Council, to continue sanctions.”

He also said the world should be open to dialogue with Iran – on the condition that the country suspends its uranium enrichment effort.

Mr Douste-Blazy made similar comments yesterday, after talks with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

Mr Lavrov, however, placed less emphasis on the need to be firm with Iran, suggesting the UN Security Council could face further wrangling over what steps to take next on Iran.

French foreign ministry spokesman Denis Simonneau insisted today that the talks in Moscow produced a “convergence on our approach, combining unity and firmness.”

Speaking before the release of the IAEA report, he said French authorities were cooperating closely with all partners, including the US and Russia.

“We are taking care to maintain the unity of the international community, which is showing its effectiveness,” he said.

In the report, the IAEA detailed recent activities showing Tehran expanding its enrichment efforts in an underground hall.

The conclusion – while widely expected – was important because it could serve as the trigger for the council to start deliberating on new sanctions meant to punish Tehran.