Speaking Tuesday, the European Union's Foreign Minister, Katherine Ashton, said that Iran's decision to raise the refined purity level of its uranium "undermines the credibility" of the Iranian regime, leading the west to suspect the country's intentions. "Taking enrichment to the level of 20 per cent adds to the deficit of confidence in the nature of Iran's nuclear program. This has already been aggravated by Iran's unwillingness to engage in meaningful talks," she said.