BBC
A top US diplomat has said he expects European states to prepare a binding UN resolution on Iran's nuclear programme that could allow for sanctions.
US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns was speaking ahead of Paris talks between all five permanent members of the UN Security Council on the issue.
But he insisted that diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis were not over.
A UN report last week said Iran was violating a Security Council order to suspend uranium enrichment.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.
The US, Britain and France are pressing for a Security Council resolution that will order Iran to suspend enrichment.
But, China and Russia are yet to support such a resolution and are opposed to sanctions against Iran.
"I think what we will see unfold [following Tuesday's talks] is that European governments will put forward... some form of Chapter 7 resolution, and we'll discuss the form of it," Mr Burns said.
"We believe there can be a diplomatic solution to the problem... We are focusing on diplomacy," he added.
Chapter 7 Security Council resolutions are binding on all UN members, but do not automatically lead to sanctions or military action. Further decisions would be needed for such measures.
Before a Chapter 7 resolution is passed, the Council has to agree that there is a threat to "international peace and security".
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