BERLIN (AP)- Germany's foreign minister urged Iran to deliver a ""clear answer"" to initiatives offered by six world powers in the standoff over Tehran's nuclear program, according to an interview released Saturday.

The UN Security Council's five permanent members, plus Germany, on July 19 set Iran an informal two-week deadline to show it is willing to stop expanding its uranium enrichment program — at least temporarily — in exchange for their commitment to stop seeking new UN sanctions.
""I appeal again to the Iranian side no longer to play for time, but to give us a usable answer to our offers — stop dallying,"" Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was quoted as saying in an interview with the weekly Der Spiegel.
Steinmeier said he expects ""a clear signal for a mutual freeze — we would freeze our sanctions efforts and Iran the development of its centrifuges. This is a clear offer that deserves a clear answer, and soon.""
""It would be negligent not to use the current opportunity,"" he was quoted as saying.
Asked what would happen if Iran continues to hedge, Steinmeier replied that ""we would then have to further increase pressure via sanctions,"" according to the report.
The Security Council has slapped three sets of sanctions on Iran over its enrichment and reprocessing of uranium. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.