Belgium ? EU foreign ministers approved plans Monday to implement U.N. sanctions against Iran, and the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency’s chief appealed for a “timeout” on sanctions if Tehran suspends uranium enrichment.

Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said his proposal, first offered a few weeks ago, was meant to end the standoff between the West and Iran over its nuclear program.

His plan calls for Iran to suspend its nuclear development program and the U.N. to suspend the application of sanctions so that talks on Tehran’s intentions can resume.

The U.N. Security Council agreed in December to impose sanctions targeting people and programs linked to Iran’s nuclear program, which the United States, EU and others fear is being used to make weapons.