France favors "progressive" sanctions if Iran refuses to suspend nuclear program

France said on Thursday that if Iran went on refusing to suspend its nuclear program, sanctions against the country should be "progressive, proportionate and reversible."

"If Iran does not conform to the obligations which follow from (Security Council) resolution 1696, the group of six (the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany) will draw the consequences," said foreign ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei.

"The measures which could be taken under resolution 1696 should be progressive, proportionate and reversible," he said.

Iran has already defied the UN Security Council's deadline for suspending its nuclear activities by Aug.31. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday reiterated his country's refusal to suspend its uranium enrichment program.

Iran suggested on Tuesday that France set up a consortium to oversee Iran's nuclear program, but Paris rejected the idea.

Source: Xinhua