Germany threatens new sanctions against Iran

BERLIN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Tuesday threatened new sanctions against Iran, saying that Tehran has the right to make peaceful use of nuclear power, but must refrain from any nuclear armament.

"If Iran continues to refuse talks, then talks at the United Nations is inevitable, and we'll have to talk about new measures," said Westerwelle.

He made the statement as Iran announced on Tuesday that it began to produce 20-percent enriched uranium.

On Sunday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) to start work on enriching uranium to a purity of 20 percent. Ahmadinejad also said that Iran is still ready for the exchange of nuclear fuel with world powers.

On Monday, Iran handed over a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) informing the UN nuclear watchdog about the Islamic Republic's plan to produce 20-percent enriched uranium, provoking fresh warnings by western nations of new sanctions.