Sanctions on Iran get the go-ahead

The European Union agreed to implement United Nations sanctions on Iran while holding a door open to fresh talks on defusing a standoff over what Western powers suspect is a covert Iranian bid to make atomic weapons.

Officials said the sanctions would strictly follow measures listed in a U.N. resolution in December aimed at forcing Iran to suspend efforts to make nuclear fuel.

Tehran says the program is meant only for energy needs.

Diplomats said the EU measures would include travel bans on Iranian nuclear officials and a call on states to prevent Iranian nationals from studying sensitive technologies on their soil.