PARIS - France is "very worried" about the potential militarization of Iran's nuclear program, but opposes any strike against the Islamic Republic because it could cause irreparable damage, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Tuesday.
Juppe voiced concern about speculation that Israel is preparing a strike on Iranian nuclear sites ahead of the release of an International Atomic Energy Agency report on Tehran's nuclear activity.
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Four previous rounds of sanctions have been imposed on Iran over its
nuclear program. But Russia and China, two veto-wielding UN Security
Council, members have made clear any new sanctions would be an extremely
tough sell.
"We are very worried about Iran stepping out of line. It would seriously destabilize the region," Juppe told RTL radio.
"France's position is firm: if we need to reinforce sanctions, we are ready," he said.
"I think we have to do everything we can to avoid the irreparable damage that military action would cause."
The
IAEA report is widely expected to strengthen suspicions that Tehran is
seeking to develop the capability to make atomic bombs, countering its
claims that its nuclear enrichment program is purely for civilian
purposes.
Western nations are likely to react by calling for
further sanctions against the Islamic state, but speculation has been
rising that Israel is preparing a preemptive strike on Iranian nuclear
sites.
Russia and Iran warned the West against military
intervention on Monday, saying an attack would lead to civilian
casualties and create new threats to global security.