The UN Security Council began consultations yesterday afternoon on a draft resolution, which intends to impose sanctions on Iran for its unyielding nuclear program.

The United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany held closed consultation at the British UN mission to seek common position on the draft Security Council resolution, which was circulated on Tuesday night by the three European countries among the five permanent members of the council.

The European draft would invoke Article 41 under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which calls for enforcement of sanctions but excludes military action.

According to the draft, a copy of which is obtained by Xinhua, it would ban Iranian trade on nuclear materials and ballistic missile.

It also provides for a freeze on assets related to Iran's nuclear and missile programs as well as travel bans on nuclear and weapons scientists involved in those programs.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution in July, demanding that Iran halt its controversial nuclear program by Aug. 31 or face possible sanctions. However, Iran has so far failed to comply with the resolution.