OTTAWA - Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight leading industrial nations called on Tuesday for stronger action to be taken against Iran over its nuclear program, while leaving the door open to talks. The G8 ministers urged the international community to take "appropriate and strong steps" to show its resolve over the nuclear program, which Tehran insists is purely peaceful. Western members of the UN Security Council are pushing for a fourth round of sanctions against Iran, which many nations suspect is trying to develop nuclear weapons. China - which, as a permanent council member, can veto the move -- has traditionally been cool to the idea of punishing Iran further. Diplomats say Beijing is slowly losing patience but still favors a diplomatic solution. In their final communique, the G8 ministers said they wanted Iran to comply with demands from the Security Council and co-operate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. "Ministers agreed to remain open to dialogue and also reaffirmed the need to take appropriate and strong steps to demonstrate international resolve to uphold the international nuclear nonproliferation regime," the communique said. Canada, which is hosting the meeting, has until now said it backs the idea of more sanctions, but softened its tone on Tuesday. "We urge a heightened focus, and stronger co-ordinated action, including sanctions if necessary, on the Iranian regime," Prime Minister Stephen Harper told G8 ministers as they started the session. In Beijing on Tuesday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said his government opposed Iran acquiring nuclear weapons but stopped short of backing new sanctions. The G8 ministers also discussed North Korea, which is also under pressure over its atomic programme.
