U.S. hopes UN to pass new resolution on Iran with more sanctions

The United States is working with other members of the UN Security Council as well as Germany to pass a new resolution on Iran with more sanctions, the State Department said Wednesday. "We are still committed to a diplomatic solution that has many fronts. One of those fronts is working through the UN, working through the Security Council and coming up with a new sanctions resolution," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. However, "things don't always work on our timetable," McCormack said. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany have agreed that the discussions on the issue should as quickly as possible, McCormack added. A couple of UN Security Council resolutions have been passed to punish Iran for its defiance on its nuclear issue. Washington has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. While threatening to keep all options including military resort, the Bush administration said that it is focusing on diplomatic means to try to resolve Iran's nuclear issue. Iran, which always denies U.S. charges, insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.