国际英语新闻：Six major countries to discuss Iran nuclear issue soon

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany will soon discuss the settlement of Iran's nuclear issue via telephone, a U.S. official said here Wednesday.

    Officials of the six countries will consult possible action by the United Nations Security Council to stop Iran's sensitive nuclear work, said the official who asked not to be identified.

    U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns and his colleagues will discuss "next steps in the UN Security Council," the official said.

    Senior officials from the six countries discussed in mid-September over possible new sanctions against Iran as Tehran refuses to comply with United Nations resolutions.

    The United States and its European allies have been trying to push the United Nations to impose the fourth sanctions against Iran in a bid to force Tehran to give up its nuclear program.

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in its September report that due to Tehran's block, the UN nuclear watchdog had been unable to make much progress in investigating Iran's suspect nuclear program.

    The United States and its allies have accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons, but Iran insists that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.

    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shrugged off international sanctions threat, saying "Sanctions are not important," and "The era of such threats has ended."