The United States threatened on Wednesday that it might take a more radical approach toward Iran if the Islamic country fails to resume nuclear talks with the EU.

"It might be time to consider a different approach toward the new, more radical, more intolerant Iranian regime," said Nicholas Burns, undersecretary of state for political affairs at a briefing at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

"Through its diplomatic contacts and its trade and investment, the world does have leverage -- and that leverage should be used constructively now -- to convince the hard-liners in Teheran that there is a price for their misguided policies," Burns said.

The United States has warned that it will refer Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Monday that the United States already has the votes within the IAEA Board of Governors to refer Iran to the Security Council.

"We chose not to pursue that course, but it is an option. And frankly, given Iran's past behavior, we believe that it is likely that Iran will be referred to the Security Council," he said.

Iran's talks with the EU have been stalled after Iran recently announced to resume uranium activities.

Source: Xinhua