China said Tuesday that it was committed to a negotiated solution to the standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

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Beijing's comments came a day after it, the other permanent Security Council members and Germany began work in London to consider new sanctions against Iran for failing to freeze its uranium enrichment program.

The six nations said they were seeking the best way to "re-engage" Tehran, but that no decisions were made and more talks were needed.

"All the parties agreed to follow negotiations and peaceful means to resolve this issue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular news conference. "Our position has been consistent in that we advocate the solution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations and peaceful means."

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters in Washington that the diplomats would hold a telephone conference Thursday, "at which time they hope to be able to hammer out the elements of a U.N. sanctions resolution."

However, sharp differences appear to remain between the tough US position and what Russia and China, veto-holding council members with close ties to Iran, are willing to accept.

The senior officials from Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Russia, China and the EU Secretariat discussed the possibility of imposing incremental restrictions on trade and arms for Iran, officials said.

The diplomats were to return to their home capitals to report on the issues they discussed.

Russia and China are likely to oppose strict economic sanctions or weapons bans. A travel ban was dropped from the initial resolution because of Moscow's opposition.

"No matter what measures are taken by the Security Council, these actions should be conducive to the proper solution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations and peaceful means," Qin said.

The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog confirmed last week that Iran had defied a Security Council order to freeze enrichment _ a possible path to nuclear arms _ expanding its program instead.