The Iran Six began discussing the text of a draft resolution imposing sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program, France's envoy to the UN has said.
"We started negotiating on the basis of the text. Six countries are on board, they got into the substance," Gerard Araud told journalists after a meeting of the Iran Six in New York.
The United States and other Western countries suspect Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear energy program and are seeking new sanctions following Iran's move to enrich uranium to 20%.
Russia's envoy to the UN, Vitaly Churkin described Wednesday's discussions as "very constructive" and said the six international mediators — France, Britain, Germany, the U.S., Russia and China — would continue negotiations on Iran "very soon."
China's envoy Li Baodong also expressed his satisfaction with the talks.
"We have just had a very constructive consultation. We now have a better understanding of each other's positions. We will continue these consultations," he said.
Russia's and China's representatives provided no other comments on the talks.
Russia and China have repeatedly opposed new sanctions against Iran, saying the issue should be resolved through diplomacy.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Brookings Institute, a leading U.S. think tank, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said sanctions against Iran "at a certain point... can become inevitable" as "Iran has still not reacted to constructive compromises it was offered," though he himself "wouldn't like to see sanctions imposed."
Medvedev said possible sanctions against the Islamic republic "should ensure nuclear nonproliferation rather than punish the Iranian nation."
NEW YORK, April 15 (RIA Novosti)
