Major powers have met in New York to discuss fresh sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
French Ambassador Gerard Araud said the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany were "moving forward" on a U.S. draft resolution for a fourth round of UN sanctions.
The ambassadors of China and Russia -- seen as the countries least keen on sanctions -- were less upbeat than Araud but called the talks constructive.
The draft proposes new curbs on Iranian banking, a full arms embargo, tougher measures against Iranian shipping, moves against members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a ban on new investments in Iran's energy sector.
Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accused the six powers of failing to inform other UN Security Council members about the content of the sanctions proposals.
At the nuclear safety summit earlier this week, U.S. President Barack Obama said Washington is pushing for strong and timely sanctions that have consequences.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said potential sanctions should be aimed at nonproliferation and should not hurt ordinary people.
And China's deputy foreign minister said his country still favored diplomacy but was open to "new ideas" if they do not undermine economic ties.
Meanwhile, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said he will tell President Mahmud Ahmadinejad that Iran will suffer consequences if it seeks nuclear arms when he visits Tehran next month.
compiled from agency reports
French Ambassador Gerard Araud said the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany were "moving forward" on a U.S. draft resolution for a fourth round of UN sanctions.
The ambassadors of China and Russia -- seen as the countries least keen on sanctions -- were less upbeat than Araud but called the talks constructive.
The draft proposes new curbs on Iranian banking, a full arms embargo, tougher measures against Iranian shipping, moves against members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a ban on new investments in Iran's energy sector.
Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accused the six powers of failing to inform other UN Security Council members about the content of the sanctions proposals.
At the nuclear safety summit earlier this week, U.S. President Barack Obama said Washington is pushing for strong and timely sanctions that have consequences.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said potential sanctions should be aimed at nonproliferation and should not hurt ordinary people.
And China's deputy foreign minister said his country still favored diplomacy but was open to "new ideas" if they do not undermine economic ties.
Meanwhile, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said he will tell President Mahmud Ahmadinejad that Iran will suffer consequences if it seeks nuclear arms when he visits Tehran next month.
compiled from agency reports