New sanctions against Iran being discussed

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A new round of sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program is being discussed, a U.S. State Department spokesman said Wednesday.

"It's no secret that we would've wished these discussions had reached the point where we actually could have a resolution there on the table and have a vote," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said during a news briefing, "but things don't always work on our timetable."

The U.N.'s five permanent members -- the United States, Russia, France, China and England, all nuclear powers -- and Germany have tried to use sanctions or the threat of sanctions as an effort to get Iran to back off its nuclear work. Germany recently expressed hesitancy and the possibility of pulling out of supporting sanctions altogether.

McCormick said the reports may be erroneous.

"Germany once again reiterated the fact that it is fully supportive of a new resolution," he said.

In addition to a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program, McCormack said the United States has other options, such as acting unilaterally or with other countries to make it more difficult for Iran to conduct financial transactions.