WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The U.S. White House on Tuesday attached importance to continued discussion on Iran's nuclear issue, and said the world community should understand the importance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

    "The discussions are ongoing," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters. "We need to let those discussions continue. But I think all nations understand the importance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons."

    Asked whether a divided council would weaken the U.S. hand, McClellan replied: "I think that's premature to get into that kind of discussion."

    The five permanent members of the Security Council - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - met over Iran's nuclear issue on Tuesday with differences remaining.

    The differences are mainly over a British-French draft demanding that Iran halt all uranium enrichment, which can be used to make nuclear arms. The draft also calls for a report within weeks on Iran's progress toward answering questions about its nuclear program.

    China believes that there is still room for solving the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations. Enditem