EU calls for 'clear response' to Iran

(VIENNA) - The European Union on Wednesday called for a "clear response" to Iran, saying it was ready to support a further round of sanctions against the Islamic republic over its controversial nuclear drive.

"The European Union remains ready to engage with Iran in order to reach a negotiated solution to the issue, should Iran take concrete decisions toward that end," according to a joint EU statement read out by Spain to a meeting of the UN atomic watchdog.

"However, Iran's persistent failure to meet its international obligations require a clear response, including through appropriate measures," the statement said.

"The European Union would support action by the UNSC (UN Security Council) if Iran continues not to cooperate with the international community over its nuclear programme. The European Union stands ready to take the necessary steps to accompany this UNSC process."

The statement was read out to the 35-member board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is holding its traditional four-day spring meeting in its Vienna headquarters this week.

The Iranian nuclear dossier was the main focus of debate after the IAEA's new chief Yukiya Amano circulated a toughly-worded report on the matter to member states two weeks ago.

In that report and in his opening address to the assembly on Monday, Amano complained that Tehran was not cooperating sufficiently with the agency in clarifying the exact nature of its atomic drive.

Western nations fear Iran is covertly developing a nuclear weapon, but Tehran insists the programme is exclusively peaceful.

The United States in particular is spear-heading a campaign for a further round of sanctions against Iran, after three previous rounds of UN sanctions.

President Barack Obama's administration, which has all but abandoned its initial hope to engage diplomatically with Iran, has already increased pressure on a reluctant China to back fresh action.

And US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was due to press Washington's the US case on a visit to Brazil on WedneThnew sanctions against Iran.sday.

Brazil backs dialogue with Iran and opposes isolating it over its feared nuclear aims.

In the EU-27 statement to the IAEA board, Spain said Iran's announcement that it had begun enriching uranium to higher levels, ostensibly to fuel a research reactor that makes radioisotopes for medical purposes, "raise further concerns about Iran's nuclear intentions."

Enriched uranium can be used to make reactor fuel, but can also be used for the fissile core of a nuclear weapon.

And given the fact that Iran does not appear to have the necessary technology and cannot produce the fuel needed for the research reactor, "it follows that the reasons given for these enrichment activities are questionable," the EU said.

The 27-bloc also "strongly regrets that Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material and facilities in Iran is for peaceful activities," it said.