German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is "no military option" for
handling Iran's nuclear program, her spokesman told reporters in
Berlin yesterday.
"The chancellor has expressed the view that there is no military option,"
Ulrich Wilhelm said, adding that "the door for negotiations remains open."
The U.S. leaders have said repeatedly any option would not be ruled out in
dealing with Iran's nuclear program as they insist that Iran is developing
nuclear weapons.
But Iran has said its program is for peaceful purpose, refusing to comply
with a UN directive that it cease uranium enrichment by Aug. 31.
Senior diplomats from Britain, France and Germany will meet their
counterparts from the United States, Russia and China in Berlin on Thursday to
discuss the Iranian nuclear crisis.
European Union chief diplomat Javier Solana is expected to hold talks with
Iranian negotiators this week.