German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Monday for tougher sanctions against Iran, if the country fails enter talks on its nuclear programme ahead of a September deadline, according to dpa. "We have supported (US) President Obama's outstretched hand to the Iranian leaders, but this hand cannot remain extended indefinitely to leaders who do not respond," Sarkozy added. Speaking after talks in Berlin, Both leaders said discussions on further sanctions would take place in September, should Iran refuse to cooperate. Merkel said a broad range of sanctions would be applied, in areas including energy supply. Both leaders agreed that it was crucial for the international community to present a joint front. Many states in the West believe Iran is using its nuclear programme to develop weapons, a charge which Tehran denies.
