German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned Iran Tuesday over its resumption of nuclear research.

Steinmeier said in Genshagen, south of Berlin where the German cabinet is holding a two-day special meeting, that Iran had "crossed a line" by removing the seals of its atomic plants.

The German minister said the Iranians knew they would face consequences as a result of their action, adding that as late as Monday there had been hopes that Tehran would return to a "path of reason".

Steinmeier told reporters that he would meet this week in Berlin his British and French counterparts for talks on the issue.

Iranian scientists removed the United Nations seals and have resumed research into nuclear fuel at the country's Natanz uranium enrichment plant Tuesday, Iranian state television announced.

Germany, France and Britain have been engaged in lengthy negotiations with Tehran aimed at ensuring that its nuclear energy program is not a cover for secret weapons development.

Russia, which had in vain proposed to Iran to move its process of enrichment uranium abroad, has been resisting calls from the United States and the European Union to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but the United States has accused it of seeking to produce nuclear weapons.

Source: Xinhua