(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-25 23:59

He told Le Figaro Iran's testing of a new generation of centrifuges -- machines that enrich uranium -- would bring it closer to obtaining fissile material needed for an atomic bomb.

"From a certain point of view, time is not working in our favor -- the Iranians are now planning to develop a new, more efficient generation of centrifuges and if they master that technology to produce fissile material they will have access to better enriched uranium," he said in comments in French.

France and Britain have formally submitted a third sanctions resolution against Iran to the UN Security Council calling for measures including asset freezes and mandatory travel bans for specific Iranian officials.

It also expands the list of Iranian officials and companies targeted by the sanctions. Earlier rounds of sanctions were imposed in December 2006 and March 2007.

Khalilzad says he is hoping for a vote on Friday by the 15-nation council.

Tehran insists it is seeking to master nuclear technology to make electricity and save oil and gas reserves for export.

The Security Council has demanded Iran halt uranium enrichment, which can be used to make fuel for power plants or, potentially, material for bombs. Iran has refused.

The Islamic Republic has threatened to review cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, whose latest report on Friday confronted Iran for the first time with Western intelligence reports of work linked to making atomic bombs.

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