Britain Wednesday hailed the new UN sanctions against Iran as a "good and powerful" signal from the international community that Iran could no longer refuse to negotiate about its nuclear programme, DPA reported.
Foreign Secretary William Hague, repeatedly stressing the importance of the support of China and Russia for the UN move, said: "It's the world saying that Iran cannot just to refuse to negotiate, and that we are not just going to walk away."
Hague, speaking in London, said the measures marked a "major toughening" of sanctions already in place, and could be hardened further.
"In the absence of change, of course the sanctions will be intensified," said Hague, adding that European nations now had the opportunity to "build on sanctions as we implement them."
However, the offer for talks also remained on the table. "We hope that Iran will take up that offer," said Hague.