Jake Tapper, writing for the ABC News blog "Political Punch," says the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reports that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is of the opinion that "...the Democratic candidate's stance on Iran" is "'utterly immature' and comprised of ‘formulations empty of all content.'" Tapper says Ha'aretz cited a senior source in the Israeli government referring to reports received by the Israeli government.

France under Sarkozy has worked to improve relations with the United States and Sarkozy has made an effort , unlike former French President Jacques Chirac, to work more closely with President George W. Bush. France has been very critical of Iran's nuclear pursuits and has largely stood with the United States in calls for tougher economic sanctions against Tehran.

The Ha'aretz report, as quoted by Tapper, says, "According to the reports reaching Israel, Sarkozy told Obama at that meeting [in July] that if the new American president elected in November changed his country's policy toward Iran, that would be ‘very problematic.' Until now, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have tried to maintain a united front on Iran. But according to the senior Israeli source, Sarkozy fears that Obama might ‘arrogantly' ignore the other members of this front and open a direct dialogue with Iran without preconditions."

Tapper says the Obama campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

The French, of course, deny the remarks attributed to Sarkozy, but what would they be expected to say? To acknowledge the remarks would demonstrate a potential split at the UN, which Tehran would no doubt look to exploit.