Chirac: No Change in French Stance on Iran Nuclear Work

Asharq Alawsat:

French President Jacques Chirac said Saturday that France's position on Iran's nuclear program has not changed. The remark followed comments by his foreign minister this week that the program was a cover for secret military activity. "The position of France has absolutely not changed," Chirac told a news conference in Bangkok after talks with Thai officials. READ MORE

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Thursday in Paris called Iran's nuclear activity a "clandestine military nuclear program" and accused Tehran of ignoring the international community's demand to suspend all nuclear activity.

It was France's most direct attack on Tehran in an escalating international dispute.

Iran earlier this month resumed small-scale uranium enrichment, insisting the program is for nuclear energy, not arms.