Nukes

Obama, Sarkozy Call for Iran Sanctions

Within weeks, not months, presidents say.

Standing with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, President Obama called for sanctions against Iran to begin "within weeks," not months, as retribution for its nuclear program. The United Nations doesn't yet support the new sanctions, and Obama said "that's something that we have to work on," and that he and his French counterpart are "inseparable" on the issue. Sarkozy echoed Obama, saying "Iran cannot continue its mad race" toward making nuclear weapons. Russia and China are the sanctions-skeptical members of the U.N. Security Council, and they have veto power. Obama acknowledged that some members have business dealings with Iran, but nevertheless, urged a push for sanctions by spring. However, he said, "the door remains open if the Iranians choose to walk though it." Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has not shown signs of considering scaling back.