Italy is stepping up calls for sanctions against Iran and expressing worry about anti-Western protests in Tehran.
News reports quoted Italy’s foreign minister Franco Frattini, as saying the time for sanctions had arrived and that he believed the European Union is united on the issue.
Mr. Frattini spoke to reporters on Wednesday on the sidelines of a conference in Rome, a day after Iranians shouted “Death to Berlusconi!” outside the Italian embassy in Tehran.
Premier Silvio Berlusconi recently announced that Italy was scaling back its sizable economic dealings with Iran and called for tighter sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Mr. Frattini expressed concern for safety of embassy personnel. He also called for authorities to avoid violence during demonstrations planned on Thursday for the 1979 revolution anniversary.
