The 25-nation block said in a statement following a meeting of its foreign ministers in Luxembourg that it had no choice but to support action against Tehran at the Security Council.
The EU recalled its statement on 17 July that if Iran did not comply with the Security Councils requirements, the EU would work for the adoption of measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter. It also recalled that in Resolution 1696 the Security Council expressed its intention to adopt appropriate measures under Article 41 if Iran did not comply. Accordingly, the Council believed that Irans continuation of enrichment related activities has left the EU no choice but to support consultations on such measures, it said.
EU foreign ministers expressed deep concern that Iran had not suspended its uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities as required by the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors and Security Council Resolution 1696.
The statement said that the door to negotiations nevertheless remained open.
[The EU”> reaffirmed its commitment to a negotiated solution, and that such a solution would contribute to the development of the EUs relations with Iran. It urged Iran to take the positive path on offer, the statement added.
