US and other Western Security Council members want the resolution to clear the council unanimously so as to signify the solidarity of the international community and the isolation of Iran.

To reach such an outcome, they would inevitably have to consult with non-permanent members over some details of the new sanctions resolution. If such consultations fail, Washington and other Western members would most likely force the draft through the council despite objection or abstention votes from some non-permanent members, but this would no doubt weaken the weight of the resolution.

Breakthrough unlikely in short-term

On Friday, IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei circulated his latest report on nuclear safeguards in Iran, but the document did not expressly answer the question as to whether Iran's nuclear program is of a peaceful nature.

The report said Iran had clarified many of the outstanding issues regarding its nuclear program but had not adequately cleared up "alleged weaponization studies".

"We have not seen any indication that these studies were linked to nuclear material," ElBaradei said. "So that gives us some satisfaction but the issue is still critical for us to be able to come to a determination as to the nature of Iran's nuclear program."

Statements made by Iranian and US officials in the wake of the latest IAEA report showed neither Tehran nor Washington is budging.

At a meeting with ambassadors and heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Tehran on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki urged the United States to "deal realistically" with its nuclear issue and refrain from politicizing it, the Tehran-based Alalam satellite television station reported.

Mottaki said Iran would pursue its atomic program "steadfastly", accusing the United States and its allies of piling "unnecessary pressure on Iran, despite Tehran's full cooperation with the IAEA".