The six major nations of the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany agreed here Thursday on a draft resolution imposing tougher sanctions against Iran, Russian and British envoys said.

"We have an agreement, and I will introduce a text on behalf of the six," British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry told reporters after meeting with his counterparts from the other five.

The text of the draft will be submitted to the 15-member UN Security Council Thursday and a vote is expected on Tuesday, UN diplomats told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The original elements initiated by the United States and Britain have been significantly watered down under the persistence of some members of the six.

The mandatory travel ban has been dropped and instead restraint was added. Embargo on arms exports was agreed upon while arms imports would be permitted under necessary vigilance.

On Feb. 22, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a report filed in Vienna to its 35-nation board of governors and the UN Security Council that "Iran has not suspended its enrichment-related activities."

The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Dec. 23, 2006, asking Iran to suspend uranium enrichment in 60 days. However, Iran has failed to do so and claimed its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

Washington has accused Tehran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian program, a charge that Iran denies.

Source: Xinhua