国际英语新闻：Obama says sanctions on Iran to come in weeks

WASHINGTON, March 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy that he expects sanctions on Iran will come in weeks instead of months.

"My hope is that we are going to get this done this spring," Obama said, adding "I'm interested in seeing that regime in place in weeks."

Obama admitted that a consensus has not been achieved among major powers, but he said the U.S. is working very hard to get the sanctions in effect.

"The time has come to take decisions. Iran cannot continue its mad race," visiting French President Sarkozy said at the press conference, voicing clear support for Obama.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and French President Nicolas Sarkozy attend a joint news conference after their meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington, the United States, March 30, 2010.

The U.S. and its Western allies have long been accusing Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian program, and are pressing for a UN resolution to impose new sanctions.

Iran has denied the accusation and stressed its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.