The United States, Britain and France, three veto-wielding permanent members of the UN Security Council, on Thursday urged new sanctions against Iran for refusing to stop its nuclear enrichment activities.

"In light of Iran's continued noncompliance with its obligations, this council must consider further measures to hold the government of Iran accountable," U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told the 15-member body.

The council, this month under the presidency of Gabon, was meeting to hear a briefing by the so-called 1737 committee which oversees the UN's sanctions against Iran.

The West accuses Iran of covertly building nuclear weapons but Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is intended to generate electricity for its population.

Since 2006, the Security Council has slapped three rounds of sanctions against Iran, which include a proliferation-sensitive nuclear and ballistic missile programs-related embargo; an export ban on arms and related materiel from Iran; and individual targeted sanctions.

Rice said that Iran's ongoing violations and behavior "show a continued pattern of disregard" for the international community's serious concerns over its nuclear program.

"Over the past year and more, the United States has reached out to Iran in unprecedented ways, repeatedly demonstrating our commitment to work towards a diplomatic solution based on mutual respect," Rice said. "And yet, Iran has yet to take steps to build confidence and honor the commitments it has made."

"As Security Council members, we must all continue to stand firm in our conviction that Iran must comply with international obligations," she said.

Rice reiterated the commitment to "a peaceful resolution" and the dual track approach to the Iranian nuclear issue.

She denied media reports that the United States was currently circulating among members of the Security Council a draft text for further sanctions.

Addressing the council, British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been unable to verify Iran's nuclear program is for non-military purposes.

"Without this reassurance, there is a very real possibility that Iran's actions could lead to increased proliferation across the region," Grant said. "However, the prospect of tough sanctions means that this scenario is not inevitable."

He urged the council to take measures that make the cost of Iran's nuclear program "too great to bear."

"Further measures will demonstrate that the international community is united behind diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear issue and stave off any preemptive moves by others to resolve this issue by other means," he said.

"Adopting further measures represents the best prospect for bringing Iran into serious negotiations to resolve the IAEA concerns," Grant said.

"Such measures should be smart and effective. They should target areas with impact on the regime's policy calculations. They should show the regime the extent to which the cost of their nuclear program outweigh any dubious benefits," he added.

Nicolas de Riviere, France's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said the council cannot "afford to sit idly" before Iran's "dallying tactics" and allow its nuclear program to progress.

"Time is up," he said. "We have no other choices ... than to seek the adoption in the coming weeks of new Security Council measures in keeping with the dual track approach," he said.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin expressed belief that a "horizon for negotiations" still exists despite the "complex" situation regarding the Iranian nuclear program.

"There is still an opportunity to agree to an persuasive, mutually acceptable fuel exchange model for Tehran's research reactor," Churkin said. "Successful implementation of this project will be a credible step in restoring trust in the solely peaceful orientation of the Iranian nuclear program and would best meet the humanitarian needs of the Iranian people."

Russia continues to advocate a solution of issues related to Iran's nuclear program through dialogue and interaction with the Iranian side, he said.

"The foundation of the Russian position has always been and remains focused on talks and diplomatic search for solutions on involving Tehran in joint work with the mandated interaction of the IAEA," he said.

He called on Tehran to undertake the "necessary accommodations for a very prompt resumption of broad dialogue with P5 plus 1 aimed, among other things, at a negotiated settlement of the situation."

"We are convinced that such a settlement will respond to the fundamental interests of the entire international community and of Iran itself," he added.

The P5 plus 1 refers to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- and Germany.