Merkel-Sarkozy meeting: September sanctions deadline "serious" for Iran

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have discussed Iran's nuclear program, with Sarkozy saying that both countries have agreed on the need for tighter sanctions.

US President Barack Obama has given Iran until September 15 to take up a six-power offer of talks on trade if it shelves nuclear enrichment, or face harsher penalties. Meanwhile, Merkel said Tehran should realize how serious the September deadline is for negotiations on its nuclear program.

The Merkel-Sarkozy meeting came ahead of the G20 in Pittsburgh on September 24-25, where further sanctions against Iran could be on the agenda.