Brussels, Belgium — Iran could face sanctions if it keeps provoking Israel and the West, European leaders warned today, even as the Tehran regime's interior minister said the Iranian president's remarks had been "misunderstood."
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad aggravated tensions with the West this week by calling the Holocaust a "myth," a statement that came two months after he called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
European leaders said Ahmadinejad's remarks were the latest "provocative political moves" from Tehran since May.
"These comments are wholly unacceptable and have no place in civilized political debate," the leaders said in a summit statement today. EU leaders warned Tehran they would review diplomatic options for possible sanctions against Iran.
The condemnation came as Iran prepares to resume talks Wednesday with European envoys over its nuclear program, which the EU and United States fear is intended to build atomic weapons. Envoys from Britain, Germany and France are trying to get Tehran to halt uranium enrichment.
EU leaders warned that the bloc was losing patience in mediating the standoff. "The window of opportunity will not remain open indefinitely."
The leaders said they were "gravely concerned at Iran's failure to build confidence that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful," adding that recent decisions to resume work on enriching uranium "only add to the EU's profound concerns about Iran's intentions."
Comments
Ragingbear 11 years, 6 months ago
Oooh, sanctions. That sure does have them quaking in their boots. Do as we say or we aren't going to be your friends anymore.
Iran has all the oil they need, and now they have nuclear capability. This pretty much ensures that they can hold out for an indefinite length of time against any military act performed against it .They have already said that they are going to try to wipe Isreal off the map. So what are we waiting for?
Hey, at least it's more justified than Iraq.... And Iraq, Iran... Was off by one letter.
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