German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on September 9 that a nuclear-armed Iran was "not an option."
Speaking in Jerusalem before meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Westerwelle called on Tehran to engage in "substantial negotiations" over its disputed nuclear program.
Much of the international community believes Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintains its program is exclusively peaceful.
Westerwelle emphasized that there is still "room for diplomacy," but said the international community will maintain sanctions and other pressure on Iran.
Also on September 9, Iran's currency slid to a record low in trading against the U.S. dollar, reaching a rate of 24,000 rials to one dollar.
The rial has fallen about 10 percent since September 5, when Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad admitted on state television that sanctions were causing "problems."
Speaking in Jerusalem before meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Westerwelle called on Tehran to engage in "substantial negotiations" over its disputed nuclear program.
Much of the international community believes Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintains its program is exclusively peaceful.
Westerwelle emphasized that there is still "room for diplomacy," but said the international community will maintain sanctions and other pressure on Iran.
Also on September 9, Iran's currency slid to a record low in trading against the U.S. dollar, reaching a rate of 24,000 rials to one dollar.
The rial has fallen about 10 percent since September 5, when Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad admitted on state television that sanctions were causing "problems."
