PORTUGAL ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM, NEXT STEPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000598 SIPDIS NOFORN STATE DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO:ELISA CATALANO STATE DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR ISN/RA:RICHARD NEPHEW E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2019 TAGS: IR PREL PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM, NEXT STEPS REF: STATE 120288 Classified By: Gary B. Applegarth, Pol-Econ Officer, Reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d). (C/NF) Post delivered reftel points on November 25 to Paulo Santos, Deputy Directory of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office of Middle East and Maghreb Affairs. Santos agreed that Iran has so far failed to take advantage of numerous opportunities to address international concern about its nuclear program but Iran still has time to act before the end of December. Santos said unified action by the UN Security Council was preferable but not assured and the EU recognizes they may have to strengthen sanctions if Iran does not take some positive action before the end of the year. For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal, please see our Intelink site: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal BALLARD