He stressed the need to focus on "the main task - to move toward resolving the issues of the Iranian nuclear programme".

BBC: Obama praise for Iran's Mousavi

The head of the Iranian nuclear programme, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, has said that Iran is simply developing its ability to provide nuclear energy.

BBC: Nuclear threat casts global shadow

"The objective of the EU remains to achieve a comprehensive, negotiated, long-term settlement which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme, while respecting Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, " the EU statement said.

BBC: EU imposes new sanctions on Iran

It is also unlikely to help those countries like Britain that are trying to obstruct and delay what they suspect is an Iranian nuclear weapons programme - a programme Tehran denies.

BBC: Why Iran's capture of US drone will shake CIA

The US has already slapped sanctions on dozens of Iranian government agencies, officials and businesses over the nuclear programme.

BBC: Iran faces fresh Western sanctions over nuclear plans

Arab fears of Iran's regional ambitions, its influence over Shia minorities and its nuclear programme have lately been matched by Iranian worries about the loyalty of its own Arabs and the possibility of an attack launched from the American bases that speckle the opposite shore.

ECONOMIST: Old suspicions and new links

Nothing Mr ElBaradei's men say looks able yet to dispel the cloud of Iranian secrecy and Western suspicion that hovers over Iran's nuclear programme.

ECONOMIST: Nuclear proliferation

Mr Netanyahu has called for much tougher sanctions against the Iranian regime and indicated his willingness to use force to stop Iran's nuclear programme if all else fails.

BBC: Profile: Benjamin Netanyahu