Islam Times - Israeli attack on Iran 'catastrophe', says Sarkozy

The French President Nicolas Sarkozy warns that a unilateral military strike on Iran by Israel would be an "absolute catastrophe."

Sarkozy was speaking after a summit of the Group of Eight industrialized nations (G8) in the central Italian city of L'Aquila on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the French president declared that major world powers in the G8 will give negotiations with Iran a chance until September.

He noted that Iran's situation will be reviewed at a G20 meeting in Pittsburgh, western Pennsylvania, on September 24 and 25, Reuters reported.

"If there is no progress by then we will have to take decisions," Sarkozy said.

Israel, which is considered as the only possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.

Tel Aviv alleges that Tehran is pursuing atomic bombs under the guise of a civilian nuclear program.

Iran, a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), rejects the claim saying that its nuclear program is solely aimed at generating electricity to meet its growing demand.