European powers are circulating a new draft U.N. Security Council resolution outlining possible sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

A French Foreign Ministry spokesman his country, Germany and Britain wrote the latest draft.  It is being shown to the United States, Russia and China.

He says the text is similar to previous drafts, and targets Iran's nuclear and missile programs, as well as the entities that run them.  China and Russia considered previous proposals for economic sanctions on Iran to be too harsh.

The United States and its European allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons.  Iran says its nuclear program is for energy purposes only.

Iran defied an August 31 U.N. deadline to stop uranium enrichment activities.  Western nations are pressing for sanctions because of the decision.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.