U.N. takes up further Iran sanctions

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Talks began Monday at U.N. headquarters with some Western representatives seeking further international sanctions on Iran for its alleged nuclear secrecy.

The United States, Britain and France are largely behind the push to persuade the 15-member U.N. Security Council Iran's secrecy poses an international threat, the Financial Times reported.

The package under debate was partially released Friday and calls for a travel ban and asset freeze on Iranians most closely involved with the nuclear program, the report said.

Iran claims it has a right to enrich uranium for electricity generation, while some Western officials said they are concerned it could also lead to Iran developing nuclear weapons.

China and Russia have resisted tougher sanctions so the current proposal was watered down, diplomats told the newspaper.

In October, the United States imposed a series of unilateral sanctions on Iran, which claims it has been completely open with the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency.