BRUSSELS, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Iran's nuclear program and the attack on the British Embassy in Tehran are expected to dominate discussions when European ministers meet in Brussels.
Ministers gathering Thursday will consider responses to the attack and an International Atomic Energy Agency report that said Iran carried out tests related to "development of a nuclear device," the BBC reported.
Britain also will seek fresh sanctions after its embassy compound and diplomatic buildings were attacked and vandalized, officials said. The government evacuated and closed its embassy in Tehran and expelled Iran's diplomatic corps in London.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he wanted "an intensification of the economic pressure," mainly through isolating Iran's financial sector. He said Britain would use "the lowest level consistent" with having a diplomatic relationship to maintain contacts with Tehran on its nuclear program.
France, Germany and the Netherlands also recalled their ambassadors from Tehran for consultations and Norway said it temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran as a precaution. Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said the Iranian ambassador in Rome was being summoned to provide security guarantees for Italy's mission in Tehran.
Tuesday's storming of the British Embassy by hundreds of protesters came after Britain decided to impose more sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, but some diplomats said the attack could convince European Union members stronger action is needed, the BBC reported.
Valerie Pecresse, France's budget minister, said the 27-nation European Union should consider an embargo on Iran's oil or a freeze of its Central Bank holdings in Europe, The New York Times said.
Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported 11 students held for storming Britain's diplomatic buildings were released late Wednesday.