Context
France has called for tougher EU sanctions against Iran. Following the lead of US, French Foreign Minister said that he is certain Iran is developing nuclear weapons and stressed that it’s time to toughen the sanctions against it. However, Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purpose.
Tensions have mounted after Iran test-fired a series of missiles near the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, EU had stated that Iran must respond to its letter before talks can resume. EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, who represents six world powers in the talks, has yet to receive a response to the letter sent to Iran’s nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalil in October last year, offering to resume negotiations.
