France Urges Iran to Return to 'Reason'

Santa Barbara News Press:

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy urged Iran on Friday to return rapidly to ''reason'' as the standoff over its nuclear program moved to the U.N. Security Council.

''The hand is extended. Negotiations are possible,'' Douste-Blazy said on RTL radio. ''Iran must understand that it has no choice. It has the right to civilian nuclear energy, it does not have the right to something else.''

Tehran's tone was increasingly threatening Thursday as the hard-line Iranian president warned that the West would suffer more than his country if it tries to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions.

''France's job is to move forward with firmness ... so that Iran responds quickly, returns to reason, responds to the agency,'' Douste-Blazy said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

As soon as the Iran file reaches the U.N. Security Council, the minister said, ''We must move quickly.'' He did not elaborate. READ MORE