Sanctions deal against Iran reached: US

LONDON/WASHINGTON: The US says agreement has been reached to "go to sanctions" against Iran over its controversial nuclear programme and said details will be worked out next week in drafting a resolution for the UN Security Council.

US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns spoke to reporters after the five permanent members of the council plus Germany met to discuss the way forward over Iran's uranium enrichment - a process that can produce weapons-grade fuel.

Following talks in London on Friday evening, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the countries' foreign ministers had agreed "to consult on economic sanctions" against Iran, and to continue to keep the door open for negotiations.

According to a transcript released in Washington, Burns was more specific, saying: "The decision has been made we will go for sanctions."

Beckett said the ministers were "deeply disappointed" that Tehran had refused to suspend its enrichment activities.

The six nations, including China and Russia, agreed to consult on measures under Article 41 of the United Nations Charter, which allows for economic sanctions.

Efforts to find a negotiated solution would continue and an offer made to Iran in June remained on the table to help it develop a civil nuclear programme, Beckett said.

In her brief statement after the meeting at Lancaster House in London, Beckett said that EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana had reported that his talks with Iran's chief negotiator, Ali Larijani, had failed to secure a breakthrough.

Russia in a statement issued prior to the meeting reiterated its opposition to the imposition of sanctions, or to the use of violence against Iran.