The U.S. State Department says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a Chinese official agree that "good progress" has been made toward agreeing a new set of United Nations sanctions on Iran over the Islamic republic's nuclear program.
State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said Clinton and Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo spoke for more than an hour by telephone on May 11, discussing both Iran and North Korea.
The U.S. spokesman said they pledged to continue work within the "P5+1" to resolve remaining questions about a fourth round of sanctions targeting Iran's government.
The P5+1 refers to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the United States, China, Russia, France, and Britain -- plus Germany.
Talks among representatives of the six powers have been continuing this week in New York City.
Iran has repeatedly rejected international demands to curb uranium enrichment work, saying its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
compiled from agency reports