According to France's Prime Minister a lack of international action in response to the chemical attack in Syria would risk sending Iran the wrong message over its nuclear program. Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault warned failing to degrade the chemical weapon delivery systems of the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad would open the door to Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions.

Ayrault told the French parliament any response should be "strong, quick and targeting specific objectives", but ruled out the use of French ground troops.

He said to refrain from action new would be to put in danger the peace and security in the entire region. Ayrault said the international community's stance against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons is being tested.

He told parliament, what message would this send to other regimes, and I am thinking like you of Iran and North Korea? Ayrault continued, without setting boundaries, these rogue regimes would continue to develop nuclear weapons and harm people who disagree with their leaders. The French leader received a brief standing ovation from government-aligned deputies.

Iran rejects Western charges it is trying to build the atomic bomb, while North Korea has made clear that it sees having a nuclear deterrent as its right to protect itself.

After British Prime Minister David Cameron failed last week to win a parliamentary vote backing military strikes, France is the only major military power now lining up behind U.S. President Barack Obama and his effort to gain congressional approval for military action.

Under the French constitution, President Francois Hollande does not need approval for military action, although he is increasingly coming under pressure from opposition lawmakers to seek it.