French FM calls for sanctions on Iran and seeks Russian backing

Further sanctions against Iran are to be discussed at the International Atomic Energy Agency's annual conference in Vienna.

The agency's chief has been criticised by some Western nations for what they call a soft approach to Tehran's uranium enrichment programme.

Iran denies it's trying to acquire nuclear weapons, saying it only wants nuclear power to generate electricity for civilian purposes.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that in the worst-case scenario the world should prepare for the possibility of war over Iran's nuclear programme.

He's in Moscow seeking Russia's agreement to tougher sanctions against Iran. So far, Russia has been in favour of more political dialogue with Tehran.