Britain and France plan to introduce a revised UN Security Council draft resolution today imposing sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment.
In an effort to get Russian support, the two nations, along with Germany and backed by the United States, circulated to the 15 council members on Friday a new draft they hope to put to a vote in the next two weeks
The draft draft keeps a travel ban and asset freeze on individuals, groups and businesses involved in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, but it eases proposals to ban Iranian access to the most dangerous bomb-building materials and technology.
But whether Russia, backed by China, who have veto power on the council, will accept the new text is unclear.
At a meeting in Paris earlier this month, the six nations did not reach agreement, indicating further changes might be in the offing.
The proposed sanctions are a reaction to Iran's failure to comply with an August 31st UN deadline to suspend uranium enrichment, which can produce fuel for nuclear power plants or for bombs.
Iran has argued that it is pursuing nuclear power for peaceful purposes, while the West believes Tehran's nuclear work is a cover for bomb making.
The new resolution allows Russia to continue construction and supply fuel to an $800 million light-water reactor it is building at Bushehr. The original draft was ambiguous on fuel supplies.