The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution imposing trade sanctions against Iran over its failure to halt uranium enrichment.

Such measures would ban the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials, freeze certain assets and ban travel for specific individuals.

The draft has been amended several times to accommodate objections by Russia and China.

Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes only, and will continue.

Hours before the vote, Russia's Vladimir Putin and US President George W Bush discussed the issue by telephone, the Kremlin said.

Delayed vote

The main sticking point for the five permanent members of the Security Council has been getting Russia to agree on sanctions, the BBC's Andy Gallacher reports from the UN.

The text has been revised to take account of Russian concerns over such provisions as a freeze on the assets abroad of specific Iranian individuals and organizations.

Both China and Russia have strong financial ties with Iran.

Russia is building a nuclear power station in the country and China has significant oil interests in Iran.

The resolution is expected to demand that Tehran end all uranium enrichment work, which can produce fuel for nuclear plants as well as for bombs.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has threatened to reconsider relations with those countries which support sanctions.

Photo Caption

Iranian technician at the Isfahan nuclear plant