Discussions about a package of measures designed to deter Iran from its nuclear program are ongoing, according to the European External Action Service, which is chairing the talks.

"The discussions on new sanctions against Iran are still ongoing," said Michael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. "Any reports are nothing more than speculation."

According to some wire reports, a consensus of member states is moving toward a six-month delay to introducing the sanctions to allow countries which import Iranian oil to find alternatives and allow existing supply agreements to expire.

A different EU diplomat familiar with the discussions said that while six months is one of the possible options, there is no convergence yet.

"There's no majority convergence on any one date yet," the diplomat said. "Looking at it mathematically, six months could be the outcome, but the chair hasn't made a decision."

Foreign ministers will gather in Brussels Jan. 23, where they are expected to sign off on a package of sanctions including oil restrictions and financial measures.
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