France skeptical of Iran's willingness to talk

PARIS – France's foreign minister says he is doubtful that Iran is willing to negotiate over the future of its nuclear program in newly announced talks with leading world powers.

Alain Juppe said on France's i-Tele television Wednesday that he's "a bit skeptical."

He says Iran is "continuing to use doublespeak, that's the reason why we must remain extremely firm on the sanctions." He says sanctions are "the best way to avoid a military option, which could have immeasurable consequences."

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Tuesday that the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany had agreed to a new round of nuclear talks with Iran more than a year after suspending them.