The United States on Monday called on Iran to resume talks with Germany, France and Britain over its nuclear program and to fulfill its commitments to those European governments.
"We urge Iran to return to the negotiations as soon as possible and live up to the agreement they made with the Europeans," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.
"We've expressed our concerns about Iran's behavior. Those concerns are well known. And that's why it's important for Iran to get back to negotiations and abide by what they said they would do with the Europeans, which means suspending their nuclear enrichment activities," McClellan told reporters.
The White House warning came as Iran faces a possible reprimand from the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is meeting in Vienna to discuss Iran's disputed nuclear program.
Talks between Germany, France and Britain and Iran broke down after Tehran recently lifted a voluntary suspension on nuclear fuel work associated with the enrichment of uranium.
According to diplomats, Britain, Germany and France distributed a draft resolution on Monday to member states of the IAEA calling for Iran to be referred to the UN Security Council this week.
Russia, China and some non-aligned governments such as India remain reluctant to report Iran to the Security Council, fearing it could escalate the confrontation with Tehran.
US officials say they may not have enough support at the IAEA for a quick referral but predicted Iran would be strongly criticized for walking out on negotiations with the EU-3.
McClellan also said President George W. Bush has discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin the possibility of Moscow providing nuclear fuel to Iran for civilian power plants and then removing spent fuel, which could otherwise be diverted to weapons projects.
"One thing the president has talked about (with Putin) is the fuel cycle issue and the ability of Russia to provide that fuel, but also take it back, so that you would have an objective guarantee in place," McClellan said.
"That's something the Europeans have talked about in the negotiations. That's why we've been supporting the efforts of the Europeans to resolve this diplomatically."
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and European states said earlier on Monday they hoped a breakthrough accord on North Korea's nuclear arms program could serve as an example to Iran.
In an agreement announced in Beijing, North Korea agreed to renounce its nuclear weapons in return for pledges of aid and security.
