Merkel: Opposition to new Iran sanctions 'regrettable'
German chancellor takes swipe at Russia, China whose opposition has limited chances of pushing through another UN Security Council package.
By REUTERSMerkel reuters 311(photo credit: REUTERS)
BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said a UN report that Iran had worked on an atomic weapon design was "alarming" but sanctions had not been fully exhausted as a means of pressuring Tehran, and Germany would consider a tougher round of measures.In an interview with the Leipziger Volkszeitung published on Saturday, Merkel said opposition to fresh sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program by some countries was "regrettable".RELATED:IAEA, Iran spar over military aspect of nuclear programUS on IAEA report: 'We won't rule anything out, or in'Russia and China have declared their opposition, limiting the chances of pushing through another UN Security Council package.
"I think the methods we can use to force Iran to be more transparent have not been fully exhausted. Sanctions are first in line here. These sanctions should be as broad as possible," Merkel said.Iran had clearly "not put all its cards on the table", and she urged the country to act with transparency.United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday Washington was consulting allies on further steps to pressure Iran, but she stopped short of specifying actions under consideration.Earlier this week the International Atomic Energy Agency concluded that Iran had worked on developing an atomic bomb design and may still be conducting such research.Click here for full Jpost coverage of the Iranian threat
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