The United States reiterated on Friday its call for passing a resolution to impose sanctions on Iran for refusing to stop enrichment of uranium.

"It's time to get on with it," Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said of the stalemate in the United Nations Security Council after three weeks of debate.

Burns told reporters that "no one is taking the position that there will not be sanctions." "The only question is what is the framework of this first sanctions resolution and where do we go from here."

Burns expressed belief that a resolution that would impose limited sanctions on Iran eventually would emerge from the Security Council.

The forthcoming resolution will focus on Iran's enrichment and missile programs and not seek to impose widespread economic sanctions or limit Iranian oil and gas production, Burns said.

The United States has been seeking to impose sanctions on Iran through the UN Security Council on the grounds that the Islamic country develops a nuclear weapon program under the cover of a civilian program.

Iranian leaders denies U.S. charges, and pledges to defend its legal nuclear rights, insisting its nuclear program is solely for civilian energy purposes.