France backs new sanctions on Iran

       France said on Friday it wanted to reach a deal on new sanctions against Iran at the United Nations Security Council but indicated it might also push for separate European Union measures against Tehran. The shift signals France's impatience with Iran, and its desire that the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany agree quickly on a third round of UN sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program. France also struck a more hawkish tone than Germany, which diplomats say believes new sanctions may not be necessary if Iran cooperates with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We wish to have new sanctions adopted, as a priority in the UN Security Council," foreign ministry spokesman Frederic Desagneaux told a regular news conference. "But we remind you that there are already measures taken outside that framework, in the framework of the European Union," he added. France has repeatedly called for fresh sanctions against Iran for its failure to suspend uranium enrichment, which can produce fuel for nuclear weapons, media reported.(09,51)