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PARIS-The European Union voiced concern on Friday over Iranian missiles tests in the Gulf and stepped up calls on Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment within its disputed nuclear program.Russia said Iran's missile tests showed there is no military justification for U.S. plans for a missile shield in eastern Europe, arguing that the shield was beyond the range of Tehran's rockets.Iran this week test-fired several missiles it said were capable of reaching Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East. The United States has reminded Tehran it was ready to defend its allies.The escalating tension has helped to push oil prices to a new record high of near $147 a barrel on Friday. Iran is the world's fourth-largest oil exporter and there are fears of supply disruptions in the event of conflict.The French Presidency of the European Union expressed concern on Friday over the missile tests."The EU calls on Iran to finally react to the entire international community's demands as expressed in (U.N.) Security Council resolutions to reach a negotiated solution on the nuclear issue," it added in a statement.The United States and European powers suspect Iran is trying develop a nuclear weapon, using its civilian nuclear program as a cover. Tehran denies any such intention and says its nuclear program is exclusively to generate electricity.The United States has refused to rule out military action against Iran over the nuclear issue, although it says it is committed to finding a diplomatic solution, and has joined other world powers in offering Tehran a new package of incentives to suspend its uranium enrichment.
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