German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a united front ahead of a UN vote to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
"We have learnt the lessons of the Iraq conflict. One of these lessons is that divisions . . . weaken Europe. We can't give dictators the sense that the democratic world is divided over how to deal with them," Ms Merkel said at a forum for US and German business leaders during a visit to New York.
"I think it is very important that this view be shared by all of us, including Russia, that everything must be done to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons," she said.
Germany, France and Britain have provided a European front on Iran while also working closely with Washington.
The Security Council resolution introduced by the United States, Britain and France on Wednesday threatens to consider unspecified "further measures as may be necessary" to ensure Iran's compliance.
Russia and China, the other two permanent members of the Security Council, expressed opposition to the text and have veto power over it.