Special report: Iran Nuclear Crisis

    UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Envoys from the six countries -- France, Britain, Germany, Russia, China and the United States -- were still unable to agree on a draft UN resolution on Tuesday after concluding another round of informal meetings.

    The draft, sponsored by Britain, France and Germany, would slap a ban on imports and exports of materials and technology relating to uranium enrichment, reprocessing and heavy-water reactors, as well as ballistic missile delivery systems.

    The lack of progress was largely due to Russia's opposition to a travel ban on Iranian officials and firms associated with the nuclear program, as well as to a list of some Iranians subject to an assets freeze, UN diplomats said.

    In an earlier resolution, the 15-nation UN Security Council required Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment by Aug. 31. But Iran ignored the deadline.

    The United States has been seeking to impose sanctions on Iran through the UN Security Council on the grounds that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon program under the cover of a civilian program.

    Iran has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

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    Annan: military action against Iran "unwise and disastrous"

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan smiles during his final press conference at the United Nations in New York, Dec. 19, 2006. (Xinhua Photo/Zhao Peng) Photo Gallery >>>

    UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday warned against any possible military intervention in Iran over the country's controversial nuclear program.

    "I think it would be rather unwise and disastrous," he said in a farewell press conference before he steps down at the end of the month.

    U.S. wants vote on Iran sanctions resolution this week

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States wants the UN Security Council to vote on a draft resolution about imposing sanctions on Iran for its defiance over its nuclear programs, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing on Tuesday.

    "We want to see a vote before the weekend," McCormack said.

    New Iran draft takes Russia's approaches into account

    MOSCOW, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The new draft UN Security Council resolution on Iran has taken into account most of Russia's approaches to breaking the deadlock over Iran's nuclear program, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.