EU backs limited nuclear sanctions against Iran

LUXEMBOURG, Oct 17 (Reuters) The European Union said tpday it felt obliged to back limited sanctions against Iran's nuclear programme after Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment as a condition to start negotiations.

''The Council believed that Iran's continuation of enrichment related activities has left the EU no choice but to support consultations on such measures,'' EU foreign ministers said in a statement.

They said the door to negotiations remained open and urged Iran to take ''the positive path on offer'' in a package of trade, technological and political incentives if Iran ends sensitive work that could give it the atom bomb.

Reuters BDP RN2005