Wednesday, April 19 2006 10:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: A top US diplomat said yesterday (Apr 18, 2006) that envoys from five permanent Security Council members plus Germany discussed sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, but failed to reach agreement on how to proceed further.

US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns told sources following nearly three hours of talks in Moscow that diplomats recognised the need for a stiff response to Iran's flagrant violations of its international responsibilities.

He said the possibility of sanctions had been discussed during the meeting hosted by the Russian Foreign Ministry but indicated that further talks would be needed.

"Iran's actions last week provoked deep concern and all of us agreed were fundamentally negative and a step backward,'' he told sources .

"So now the task for us is to agree on a way forward,'' he said.

Burns reiterated that the United States expected action in the Security Council after an April 28 deadline for Iran to stop uranium enrichment.

He gave no specifics as to the type or timing of sanctions and he refused to say whether Russia had softened its firm opposition to sanctions against Iran.