EU welcomes IAEA resolution on Iran's nuclear issue

The European Union (EU) on Friday welcomed the resolution adopted by the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the Iranian nuclear issue. "The adoption of this resolution is the result of our determined and united efforts in the E3+3 (Britain, France, Germany, United States, Russia and China) framework," said Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief in her statement. "This resolution is a reaction to the particularly incriminating findings on Iranian military nuclear activities provided in the latest IAEA report," she said. Ashton urged Iran once again to respond positively to the offers and proposals made by her, together with the E3+3. The 35-nation IAEA board adopted a resolution Friday on Iran's disputed nuclear program, voicing "deep and increasing concern" over the country's nuclear issue. The UN atomic watchdog said it was "essential" for Iran and the IAEA to "intensify their dialogue." The resolution also expresses "continuing support for a diplomatic solution" to the issue and calls on Iran to engage "seriously and without preconditions" in talks aimed at restoring international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of the country's nuclear program.