WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States and the European Union condemned Iran on Monday on its human rights, as Tehran informed the UN nuclear watchdog it will start producing 20- percent enriched uranium inside the country.

In a joint statement released by the White House, the United States and the European Union "condemn the continuing human rights violations in Iran" since last year's June 12 presidential election.

The statement said Washington and Brussels are "particularly concerned by the potential for further violence ... around the anniversary of the Islamic Republic's founding on Feb. 11."

The two called on the Iranian government to "live up to its international human rights obligations."

Earlier in the day, Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, of the Islamic Republic's plan to produce 20-percent enriched uranium inside the country, angering Western powers.

French and U.S. defense ministers jointly announced later in Paris that the two countries would work together for new sanctions against Iran over the nuclear issue.


(2010/02/09- Xinhua)