EU in talks with Iran over its nuclear programme European Union foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, has written to Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, accepting an offer to discuss Tehran's nuclear programme. Ms Ashton's decision follows the expansion of sanctions by Europe and the United States to exert economic pressure and force on Iran, in an attempt to make the country hold back on its nuclear programme. Tehran says it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, but the US and Europe fear Iran is trying to produce atomic weapons. In a statement, the European Union foreign policy chief said: "Today I have replied to Dr Jalili's letter of February 14th... I have offered to resume talks with Iran on the nuclear issue. Ashton's letter proposed an initial round of talks to focus on improving confidence by developing concrete steps for the future. In another possible step towards greater cooperation, Iran said it would let United Nations nuclear investigators visit a military complex where they had previously been refused access. Officials say Iran faces an unprecedented strain on its economy due to the expansion of sanctions on its oil and financial sectors. In July, an EU embargo on Iranian crude is due to take full effect, which will drastically shrink its export markets.