Special report:  Iran Nuclear Crisis

    PARIS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- High-ranking diplomats from six major countries met in Paris on Tuesday, trying to make an agreement on the sanctions against Iran for its refusal to suspend sensitive nuclear work.

    The five veto-holding members of the United Nations Security Council,-- the United States, Britain, Russia, China and France,--plus Germany, held the meeting in the French Foreign Ministry around 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

    The aim is to secure agreement over what economic sanctions to impose on Iran for ignoring a UN. deadline of Aug. 31 to stop enriching uranium.

    According to the draft UN Security Council resolution put together by Britain, France and Germany, trade with Iran in goods related to its nuclear and ballistic missile programs would be barred and restrictions on finance and travel would also be imposed.

    French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, who said on Monday that the "six" were ready to "make an agreement," appeared to be less optimistic on the moment of the meeting, AFP reported.

    "I don't know whether we will have an agreement this night," he said.

    U.S. Under-Secretary Nicholas Burns also predicted that there would be no major "breakthrough."

    Several hours before the meeting, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that it would take any attempt to suspend its nuclear enrichment program as an "act of hostility."