As the deadline of the UN Security Council Resolution 1696, which required Iran to suspend uranium enrichment by the end of August, had passed and "since Iran has not taken the steps required by the IAEA and the Security Council, it is now essential that we move to adopt sanctions against Iran," said Robert Joseph, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, at a briefing on Wednesday.

"Sanctions represent the next step in our diplomacy, as the United States continues to persuade Iran to change its course and abandon its nuclear weapons program," Joseph said, adding that the United States is now discussing the issue with other members of the UN Security Council.

The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs. Iran has said that its nuclear programs are for peaceful purposes only.