Iran says German, Israeli comments on nuclear issue "repetitious"

TEHRAN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday the comments of German and the "Zionist regime" (of Israel) officials on Iran's nuclear issue are " repetitious" and "not constructive," the semi-official ISNA news agency reported.

The "remarks of certain western states on Iran's nuclear issue on the G5+1 meeting seem to be repetitious and carries no constructive approach," Ramin Mehman-Parast was quoted as saying.

"Different countries have acknowledged the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear work," he added.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday threatened to sanction Iran if Tehran does not change its reaction toward the international community on its nuclear issue.

"We have made it clear that if the reaction of Iran does not change, we will cooperate in the preparation of wide-ranging sanctions ... preferably within the framework of a UN Security Council resolution," said Merkel at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"We have repeatedly made the offer to Iran for a transparent cooperation. Unfortunately they have not taken it," she said.

The West accuses Iran of covertly building nuclear weapons but Tehran argues that its nuclear program is intended to generate electricity for its people.