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UN Diplomats: European Powers Revise Iran Sanctions Draft

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U.N. diplomats say European powers will formally present to the Security Council Thursday an amended draft resolution seeking new sanctions against Iran for its disputed nuclear program.

Diplomats say Britain, France and Germany have revised a sanctions resolution against Iran and will aim to get the full Security Council to vote on the resolution next week.

They say the revised draft is only slightly amended from an earlier version, and has the backing of the Council's five permanent members - France, Britain, the United States, China and Russia - as well as Germany.

The text proposes economic and trade sanctions against Iran for its failure to suspend uranium enrichment - a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons.

Washington and its allies accuse Iran of trying to master technology to build nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

Tehran says it is developing nuclear technology to generate electricity. Iran has been building two nuclear power plants with one facility expected to open later this year.

The Security Council has twice imposed sanctions on Iran for its controversial nuclear program.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad again defended his country's nuclear program in a speech Wednesday. He said Tehran will not accept oppressive regulations and will never give up its right to pursue nuclear energy.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, is expected to issue a report soon on Iran's nuclear program.

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

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