The Europeans and Americans want tough sanctions; Russia and China have pushed for dialogue, despite the failure of an EU effort to bring the Iranians to the negotiating table.

Special coverage: Iran Nuke Issue Related readings: Iran: Sanctions would be act of hostility

A European draft UN resolution tabled in October would order all countries to ban the supply of materials and technology that could contribute to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. Lavrov said Russia supported such measures.

But Russia has resisted the imposition of a travel ban and an asset freeze on companies, individuals and organizations involved in those programs.

Kristen Silverberg, a US assistant secretary of state, urged Russia to back the European proposals.

"We think it's time for the Russians to accept the European text," Silverberg said in Berlin.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said officials in Paris were trying to resolve their differences over both language and substantive issues.

"We are looking for consensus and unity here," he said, adding that he hoped an agreement would be reached soon. "We are coming up to the time (when) the credibility of the UN is at stake."

The draft resolution would exempt a nuclear power plant being built by the Russians at Bushehr in Iran, but not the nuclear fuel needed for the reactor.

Russia proposed major changes that would limit any travel ban, asset freeze or mention of Bushehr.

Meanwhile, French presidential candidate Segolene Royal said she would press the international community to ban Iran's access to nuclear power altogether if she is elected next year.

The Socialist's stance on Iran is tougher than France's position. Paris wants to punish Tehran for failing to halt uranium enrichment - which can produce material for atomic warheads as well as energy - but it says that, in principle, Iran can have access to nuclear power.

Iran says it is entitled as a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

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