(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-19 22:39

Two UN resolutions imposing sanctions on Iran have failed to persuade the country to suspend uranium enrichment. Tehran insists the program is aimed at producing energy for civilian use but the US, its European allies and many others fear the program's real aim is to produce nuclear weapons.

Burns said he would host a meeting Friday with the participation of permanent members of the UN Security Council "to look at the elements of a third resolution."

Talks on a third UN resolution that would impose new sanctions on Iran were expected next week in New York, when world leaders will attend the annual ministerial session of the UN General Assembly.

"All countries should do their best ... to sanction Iran on their own according to their laws," Burns said. "I think all of us believe that a diplomatic solution is preferable and the sanctions are a very important instrument."

On Sunday, France's foreign minister said France had appealed to major companies such as oil giant Total and gas giant Gaz de France not to bid for projects in Iran. Kouchner also said France and Germany were preparing possible European Union economic sanctions against Tehran beyond existing UN measures.

"The whole trend is away from commercial engagement and toward sanctions whether that's Security Council sanctions or individual sanctions," Burns said.

Burns said United States' allies and friends Turkey, Germany, Japan, South Korea and India should consider similar actions.

Burns pointed out that an energy deal signed between Iran and Turkey in July was not helpful. The preliminary deal foresees the construction of two separate pipelines to ship natural gas from the fields in Iran and neighboring Turkmenistan via Turkish territory.

"We don't think that it makes sense to announce long-term oil and gas deals at a time when Iran is going to have a nuclear weapons research," Burns said. "But again we are not singling out Turkey for criticism or attention, this is a general US and West European message to many other countries."

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