WASHINGTON, March 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States, preparing to take Iran's case to the UN Security Council next week, is seeking a 30-day deadline for Tehran to halt its nuclear program and cooperate with international inspectors, the Washington Post reported Saturday.

    The newspaper quoted unidentified U.S. and European officials as saying that they expected tough negotiations among the Security Council's 15 members and said much hinges on Russia.

    Washington has prepared a draft statement for adoption by the Security Council. The draft gives Iran 30 days to suspend its nuclear activities and cooperate with inspectors or face the possibility of tough diplomatic action.

    The United States and its European allies have been discussing a number of measures inside and outside the council's purview, such as travel bans on Iranian officials, economic sanctions or an oil embargo, the officials said.

    "The idea is to begin slowly, with a presidential statement, set time tables and then give Iran a certain deadline to respond ... After that we push harder with a resolution," an unidentified senior U.S. official was quoted as saying.

    However, Russia is unwilling to give up talks with Iran, the newspaper said.

    Russian officials have spent the past several weeks trying to persuade Iran to freeze much of its nuclear infrastructure and transfer the most sensitive aspects to Russian territory.

    Iran expressed interest in a joint uranium-enrichment venture with Moscow but also wants to enrich uranium at home, which it says would be used for an energy program. Enditem