No Time for Threats

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/opinion/30thu2.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

This article definitely has its opinion, judging from its opening statement. "French President Nicolas Sarkozy made the wrong gesture at the wrong time by brandishing the possible use of force against Iran’s nuclear weapons program". The reason why this gesture is viewed as 'wrong' by the author of the article is because Sarkozy had previously stated "France would not join Washington in military action against Iran", making him sound a bit hypocritical.
What is essentially the purpose of Sarkozy's blunt, direct, and American-supporting statement is that if negotations aren't productive, or if "diplomatic initiative fails", then military force will be necessary to keep stability within the region and prevent the use of Iran's nuclear force.
The irony of it all, though, is this "bullying" of Iran is most likely compromising any chance of a diplomatic initiative or future agreement between Iran and the western allies. Was there, perhaps, and alterior motive behind Sarkozy's sudden 'change of mind'? Will the rest of Europe join Sarkozy and Bush in this "bullying" of Iran? Does Bush truly want a diplomatic initiative in Iran, because it seemed oddly convenient that in a press meeting on August 29th, Bush "suggested the nuclear threat from Iran was a justification for keeping American troops in Iraq."
Perhaps an alterior motive, perhaps not.