EU foreign ministers made the call as it emerged that Iran is likely to wait until November to decide whether to carry out a threat to make nuclear fuel or take other measures that would sharply escalate confrontation with the West.

The International Atomic Energy Agency last month threatened to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council over its nuclear program, which the United States claims is a cover for arms development, but not before a November IAEA meeting.

The EU "urges Iran to take this opportunity by implementing all the measures requested by the IAEA board (of governors), including reinstating a full suspension of all fuel cycle activities," they said in a statement.

"The EU's preferred approach remains the resumption of negotiations within the framework agreed in Paris last November," it said.

The European bloc has resisted calls for Iran to be referred to the UN and offered trade and other benefits in exchange for pledges on its nuclear plans, after striking the Paris accord with Tehran.

EU talks with Tehran -- spearheaded by the so-called EU-3 of Britain, France and Germany, as well as EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana -- broke down in August after Tehran resumed uranium conversion activities.