France, US push for Iran sanctions

The United States and France agreed on Monday to push for sanctions against Iran over its suspect nuclear programme even as Paris admitted that opposition from China could block quick action.

After talks with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, French Defence Minister Herve Morin said world powers had to move toward sanctions to punish Tehran for refusing to halt nuclear enrichment. "It will unfortunately be necessary to launch a dialogue with the international community that will lead to new sanctions if Iran does not stop its programmes," said Morin.

Gates, whose aides had earlier said the United States would ask France to submit a sanctions motion at the UN Security Council, said: "We are very much agreed that action by the international community is the next step."

Iran raised the stakes in its standoff with the West over its nuclear programme when it formally notified the UN nuclear watchdog today of its plan to produce higher enriched uranium.

The United States and its allies fear Iran is using an uranium enrichment drive to develop fissile material for nuclear weapons. Iran says it only wants to produce fuel for a peaceful nuclear energy programme.

Gates was to sit down with Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner later Monday before holding talks with President Nicolas Sarkozy over Iran and France's military involvement in Afghanistan.

France this month took the presidency of the UN Security Council, but Kouchner admitted that a sanctions resolution would not be passed soon.