Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, right, and French counterpart, Philippe Douste-Blazy speak during meeting in Moscow, Thursday

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy is in Moscow for talks with top Russian officials expected to focus on Iran's nuclear program.

France, along with Britain and Germany, called for an emergency session of the International Atomic Energy Agency on February 2, to hear the European case for referring Iran to the United Nations Security Council.

The Security Council can impose sanctions, if it finds Iran has violated international treaties with its nuclear program.

The call for the I.A.E.A. session came after Tehran broke a two-year moratorium on nuclear research earlier this month. The United States has accused Iran of using its research to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear intentions are peaceful.

China Thursday called for "restraint and patience" to resolve the nuclear crisis.