EU threatens Iran with tough diplomatic action unless it complies with nuke probe

VIENNA – The European Union is threatening Iran with tough diplomatic action if it doesn't cooperate with U.N. inspectors trying to determine whether it has worked on nuclear arms.

In a statement Wednesday, the EU told the U.N nuclear agency's 35-nation board that "action" was possible if Iran does not cooperate by November. That's diplomatic code for renewed referral to the U.N. Security Council, potentially opening the path to new sanctions.

Iran denies having worked on such weapons and says all of its nuclear activities are peaceful. Iran and the U.N. agency blame each other for delays in reaching agreement on such a probe.

Ten rounds of negotiations over the past two years have failed to end the deadlock. The two sides meet again Sept. 27.