BEIJING (AFP)--The United States will seek China's support during talks here Thursday for a new UN Security Council resolution against Iran over its nuclear program, a senior official said.
US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte told reporters he would raise the issue in a biannual senior-level dialogue to be held in southwest China's Guizhou province Thursday and Friday.
"We think it is important that there be an additional Security Council resolution because Iran is out of compliance with previously passed resolutions," Negroponte said.
"That is the argument that will be presented to the Chinese authorities." Although a recently issued US intelligence report said Iran has likely suspended research into designs of a nuclear warhead, he said it was violating an existing UN resolution by carrying out uranium enrichment.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will further seek Beijing's support for a new resolution when she meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Berlin next week, Negroponte added.
Rice will join her counterparts from Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China to discuss new sanctions and other elements of a resolution, US officials announced in Washington on Wednesday.
Iran denies charges it is seeking a nuclear weapon, insisting its program is peaceful and aimed at providing energy for its growing population.