‘EU will press Iran referral, barring surprise’

The European Union will press next week for Iran’s nuclear programme to be reported to the UN Security Council barring an unexpected ch...

The European Union will press next week for Iran’s nuclear programme to be reported to the UN Security Council barring an unexpected change of heart by its President, an EU diplomat said.

However, US President George W. Bush also said that the timing of such a move would depend on diplomacy.

Foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany heard nothing in talks with Iranian leaders on Thursday to suggest there was a basis for resuming negotiations with Tehran on EU offers of economic, security and nuclear cooperation, the diplomat said.

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The Iranians seemed determined to pursue their program of uranium enrichment, which Western governments believe is aimed at developing nuclear weapons, the diplomat, who participated in the talks, said.

He acknowledged there was a risk that the United States and the EU would fail to rally a convincing majority on the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but said, ‘‘We may not win but we won’t blink.’’

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

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