France warns of war with Iran
{{date|September 16, 2007}}
[[Image:Bernard Kouchner.gif|thumb|right|[[France|French]] [[w:Minister of Foreign Affairs (France)|Foreign Minister]] [[w:Bernard Kouchner|Bernard Kouchner]]]]
[[France|French]] [[w:Minister of Foreign Affairs (France)|Foreign Minister]] [[w:Bernard Kouchner|Bernard Kouchner]] warned on Sunday of the possibility of a war over [[w:Iran's nuclear program|Iran's nuclear program]].

"We have to prepare for the worst, and the worst is war," Mr. Kouchner stressed in an interview broadcast by French radio and TV. He also highlighted the importance of negotiations with [[Iran]], stating these should continue "right to the end," though he underlined that if Iran possessed real nuclear weapons, this would pose "a real danger for the whole world".

Tehran has denied all charges from developing nuclear weapons; nevertheless, Iran has announced its intentions to acquire uranium for energy rather than weapons.

Mr. Kouchner also stated that "we are trying to put in place plans which are the privilege of chiefs of staff and that is not for tomorrow," and, that even though any attack was far from taking place, "It is normal for us to plan".

The French Minister also added that France intended to impose new sanctions over Iran, but not under the framework of the [[w:UN Security Council|UN Security Council]], and thus force Tehran to give up any attempt to acquire nuclear weapons. 

Kouchener is quoted in the ''EU Observer'' saying, "We have decided, while negotiations are continuing (…), to prepare eventual sanctions outside the ambit of UN sanctions, which would be European sanctions. Our good friends, the Germans, suggested that."

One sanction:  asking France's largest companies not to do business with Iran.  The ''Financial Times'' quotes Kouchener saying, "We have asked a certain number of our big companies not to respond to Iranian tenders."

The United Nations Security Council has imposed severe sanctions over Iran, but until now has not accepted military action. The United States has also not ruled out the option of military actions towards Iran, if the nuclear program continues.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20810689/
|title=France calls for Iran investment boycott
|author=Peggy Hollinger, Pan Kwan Yuk
|pub=Financial Times (via MSNBC)
|date=September 17, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://euobserver.com/9/24772/?rk=1
|title=France: World should prepare for possible war with Iran
|author=Helena Spongenberg
|pub=EUobserver.com
|date=September 17, 2007}}
*{{source-pr|url=http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/pays-zones-geo_833/iran_420/question-nucleaire_4050/dossier-nucleaire-iranien-position-france-17-septembre-2007_53976.html
|title=Dossier nucléaire iranien : position de la France (17 septembre 2007)
|pub=French Foreign Office
|date=September 17, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6997935.stm
|title=France warning of war with Iran
|author=
|pub=BBC News
|date=September 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/070916193617.aaakhfsd.html
|title=World should brace for possible war over Iran: France
|author=
|pub=Agence France-Presse
|date=September 16, 2007}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Iran]]
[[Category:France]]
[[Category:Nuclear power]]
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
[[Category:Nuclear proliferation]]

[[es:Francia advierte guerra con Irán]]
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner warned on Sunday of the possibility of a war over Iran's nuclear program.

"We have to prepare for the worst, and the worst is war," Mr. Kouchner stressed in an interview broadcast by French radio and TV. He also highlighted the importance of negotiations with Iran, stating these should continue "right to the end," though he underlined that if Iran possessed real nuclear weapons, this would pose "a real danger for the whole world".

Tehran has denied all charges from developing nuclear weapons; nevertheless, Iran has announced its intentions to acquire uranium for energy rather than weapons.

Mr. Kouchner also stated that "we are trying to put in place plans which are the privilege of chiefs of staff and that is not for tomorrow," and, that even though any attack was far from taking place, "It is normal for us to plan".

The French Minister also added that France intended to impose new sanctions over Iran, but not under the framework of the UN Security Council, and thus force Tehran to give up any attempt to acquire nuclear weapons. 

Kouchener is quoted in the EU Observer saying, "We have decided, while negotiations are continuing (…), to prepare eventual sanctions outside the ambit of UN sanctions, which would be European sanctions. Our good friends, the Germans, suggested that."

One sanction:  asking France's largest companies not to do business with Iran.  The Financial Times quotes Kouchener saying, "We have asked a certain number of our big companies not to respond to Iranian tenders."

The United Nations Security Council has imposed severe sanctions over Iran, but until now has not accepted military action. The United States has also not ruled out the option of military actions towards Iran, if the nuclear program continues.
Politics and conflicts Iran France Nuclear power Nuclear weapons Nuclear proliferation