U.S. expects UN vote on Iran sanctions next week

The United States expects the United Nations Security Council to vote on new sanctions on Iran next week, the White House spokesman said on Thursday.

"We've seen sanctions introduced in the U.N. Security Council that we believe will be voted on next week and approved by the U.N. Security Council," Robert Gibbs said.

The Iranian, Brazilian, and Turkish foreign ministers agreed on May 17 that Iran will swap in Turkey most of its 3.5%-enriched uranium for 20%-enriched fuel for use in its Tehran scientific research reactor.

The deal, however, did not stop the Iran Six from continuing discussions, begun on April 19, on a draft Security Council resolution to impose additional sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has criticized Russia and China, which have previously spoken out against sanctions, for supporting the draft.

WASHINGTON, May 3 (RIA Novosti)