However Russia and China, which are major trading partners with oil-rich Iran, are resisting the resolution, the Times reported, quoting officials involved in the negotiations.

The three nations will introduce the resolution in New York on Wednesday or Thursday, Nicholas Burns, the number three in the US State Department and the point man in the US diplomatic effort on Iran, told the newspaper.

But the Western allies probably will not distribute a text that Russia and China still oppose. Moscow and Beijing fear it would be a step toward sanctions or even military action, although the draft will not threaten either measure.

"We will be explaining to the full council at that point where our thoughts are and what direction they will take," US Ambassador John Bolton told reporters of the Wednesday afternoon council consultations.

He said it would be "helpful to apply greater pressure on Iran" so that all 15 members of the council, not just the Western powers, could give their views.

The plan is to introduce shortly a resolution under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, making legally binding a March council statement that asked Iran to suspend uranium enrichment work -- a process that could be used for electricity generation or making an atomic weapon.

There would be a deadline for Iran to comply but the measure would not threaten any action. Chapter 7 allows for sanctions or even military action but a separate resolution is necessary to specify either step.

No vote has been scheduled. The text also will be under discussion at a meeting on Monday and Tuesday among the foreign ministers of Germany and the five permanent council members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.

Iran maintains its nuclear programme is legal and that it does not seek a bomb. It has accelerated uranium enrichment but is still far below the level needed to make an atomic bomb.

As a follow-up resolution, the Western allies have considered targeted sanctions to ratchet up the pressure in hopes of Russian and Chinese support if Iran continues to defy the council's demands.