European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana pauses as he attends a meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani (not seen) in Ankara April 25, 2007. Hopes for a breakthrough at the talks between Larijani and Solana were dampened in the run-up by a renewed Iranian vow not to stop enrichment despite increasing sanctions pressure.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

EU ministers agree to impose sanctions against Iran

    BRUSSELS, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers from all the 27 European Union (EU) member states agreed on Monday in Luxembourg to introduce sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions in line with a UN Security Council resolution, an EU spokeswoman said on Monday.

    "The EU goes a little bit tougher than the UN sanctions," said Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, without giving details.

    "We include more names," she added.  Full story

Iranian president insists on nuke program rights

    TEHRAN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pledged on Monday that his country would never abandon its rights to nuclear technology, the state television reported.

    "The Iranian nation are decisive on acquiring their rights until the end and will not shift an iota, (and) our people are united on their drive," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying during his speech in Iran's southern city of Shiraz. Full story