UNITED NATIONS — The German foreign minister is condemning violence in the Middle East over an anti-Islam video and telling Iran it must stop stalling over its suspected drive to build a nuclear weapon.

Guido Westerwell, speaking Friday at the U.N. General Assembly, said the ugliness of the video "cannot be used to justify acts of violence."

And he said Iran must open its nuclear program to international inspection.

"I call on Iran to stop playing for time. The situation is serious," Westerwelle said.

Iran claims its program is for peaceful purposes. Israel, the U.S. and Western allies contend that is a smoke screen.

"We still await a serious response from Iran," he said. "We want a political and diplomatic solution. Time is short."