US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said he expects 'significant' new sanctions to be imposed on Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
'I think that you are going to see some significant additional sanctions imposed by the international community, assuming that the Iranians don't change course and agree to do the things they agreed to at the beginning of October,' Mr Gates told a group of US soldiers in Kirkuk, Iraq.
European leaders said they will support new sanctions against Iran, warning that Tehran’s refusal to negotiate over its nuclear programme must be met with a 'clear response'.
In a draft statement in Brussels, leaders of EU nations announced their readiness to back moves by the US, Britain and France for fresh measures at the UN Security Council.
'Iran's persistent failure to meet its international obligations and Iran's apparent lack of interest in pursuing negotiations require a clear response, including through appropriate measures,' the draft document said.
'The European Union would support action by the UNSC (Security Council) if Iran continues not to cooperate with the international community over its nuclear programme.'
Western governments suspect the Islamic republic is developing technology to enrich uranium to highly-refined levels to covertly develop a nuclear bomb.
Iran says it wants to develop a civil energy programme and has rejected attempts to force it to stop enrichment or farm out enrichment work abroad to fuel a research reactor in Tehran, in a plan pushed by the UN nuclear watchdog.
