The UN nuclear watchdog's report on Iran this week showed the international community must push for a faster response from Tehran over its nuclear programme, Germany said on Tuesday. The five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany are offering Iran a package of incentives to give up its uranium enrichment, so far without success.
On Monday the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran's alleged research into nuclear warheads remained a matter of serious concern and Tehran should provide more information on its missile-related activities.
"Here, open questions remain, where we have to push for an answer with more time pressure," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told members of Nato's parliamentary assembly meeting in Berlin, referring to the IAEA report. The IAEA also said in its report Tehran was holding back information on high-explosives testing relating to its nuclear programme. "The ball is in the Iranians' court," Steinmeier said.
"Either it is picked up there, and we're getting reasonable answers to our questions, or the entry into talks with the aim of a diplomatic solution to the conflict is further delayed," he added. "The alternative would then be an increase of international pressure, also through the UN Security Council."