World powers discuss sanctions on Iran, no consensus yet

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department confirmed that six world powers discussed new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program Wednesday, but no consensus has been reached.

"I can confirm a call did take place...it's the latest in a series of ongoing consultations among the six parties..." said State Department spokesman Mark Toner, referring to a conference call among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.

When asked if the six powers had started drafting language for a UN sanction resolution, Toner said: "I don't think we're there yet."

"But as the president said yesterday, we're working hard on the pressure track and moving forward with speed and determination," he added.

U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he expects sanctions on Iran will come in weeks instead of months.

China has said diplomacy and peaceful talks are the most effective way to solve the Iranian nuclear issue.

"China opposes Iran possessing nuclear weapons, but at the same time we believe that, as a sovereign state, Iran has the right to develop nuclear energy in a peaceful way," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Tuesday.