The EU views with serious concern the Government of Iran's intention to resume suspended nuclear activities. It recalls that this and other parts of Iran's nuclear programme were frozen, under IAEA supervision, following revelations of Iran's clandestine nuclear activities over a period of more than a decade. It urges Iran not to take this step which would violate both the letter and the spirit of the 8 previous resolutions. These call on Iran, inter alia, to suspend all enrichment related activities.

The EU regrets that Iran has chosen to announce this unilateral move at a moment when international confidence in the peaceful nature of its programme is far from restored. It finds it surprising and unreasonnable that Iran proposes to do this at a moment when - in response to a proposal from Dr Larijani - Britain, France and Germany with the EU were exploring with Iran the possibility of a return to negotiations. Resumption of activities and such disregard for the repeated wishes of the IAEA Board of Governor can only seriously jeopardise the possibility of a return to negotiations.