France Wants UN Resolution On Iran To Allow Possible Force

Dow Jones Newswires:

France wants any U.N. resolution on Iran's nuclear program to come under a provision allowing for sanctions or possibly military force, a top French diplomat said Thursday.

Iran faces a Friday deadline to meet U.N. demands that it halt uranium enrichment, or face Security Council action. The U.S. foresees that such action will include a resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, meaning it could be eventually enforced with sanctions or force, depending on how it is worded.

France, too, wants any resolution to be under Chapter 7, a top diplomat said Thursday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Such a resolution wouldn't "automatically" mean resorting to military action, the diplomat said. "We are not yet at that stage," he said. READ MORE

The U.S., France and Britain have warned that noncompliance could lead to sanctions, but Russia and other key members of the coalition seeking to talk Iran into dropping its enrichment program have opposed sanctions or force.

The diplomat reiterated France's hope to make the demand compulsory if Iran doesn't meet the April 28 deadline. The U.S. and Britain agree, despite opposition from Russia and China, the other two veto-wielding council members.