EU ready for new UN sanctions after Iran "provocation"

Mar 3, 2010, 11:48 GMT

Vienna - The European Union confirmed Wednesday that it would support new UN sanctions against Iran, reacting to provocative steps recently taken by Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Iran had defied the UN Security Council by boosting uranium enrichment and breached its binding inspection contract with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the EU said in a statement at a meeting of the IAEA's governing board in Vienna.

Iranian nuclear operators had started the process of enriching uranium to 20 per cent in February without giving IAEA inspectors the required advance notice, said Spanish Ambassador Jose Luis Rosello, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

Although Iranian leaders say they are raising enrichment levels to make fuel for a medical-use reactor, the EU pointed out that the Islamic country does not have the technology to manufacture actual fuel elements. Therefore, 'the reasons given for this enrichment activities are questionable,' Rosello said.

The EU stressed its general readiness to solve the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme through talks.

'However, Iran's persistent failure to meet its international obligations and Iran's apparent lack of interest in pursuing negotiations require a clear response, including appropriate measures,' the statement said.

The EU said it shares the IAEA's concern about possible ongoing work related to nuclear weapons in Iran.

The group also criticized the country's plans to build 10 additional uranium enrichment plants: 'This constitutes a further provocation and defiance to the international community in clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and safeguards obligations.'

EU states fear that Iran is using its uranium enrichment programme to develop an atomic bomb, but their foreign ministers said last month that sanctions would only work if other major world powers, such as China, joined them under the United Nations' auspices.