"We note with satisfaction that common sense prevailed" in accepting the draft, due to be presented to the UN Security Council by European powers Britain, France and Germany and three Security Council members China, Russia and the United States, the ministry said.

The "partners agreed to return to Russia's proposal to pass a brief and simple draft confirming all previous decisions by the United Nations and the IAEA and calling on Iran to fulfill them," the ministry said in a statement.

"This preserves the group of six's mechanisms and continuation of its work, helps continuation of the search for a political and diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear problems, without counter-productive threats," the statement added.

The six major powers papered over differences on Iran Friday and agreed to submit the new Security Council draft resolution confirming existing UN sanctions over Tehran's nuclear programme.

"Our intention is to confirm all previous decisions," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after an impromptu meeting with his counterparts from the four other permanent Security Council members and Germany.

He was referring to three previous rounds of sanctions the world body slapped on Iran for its refusal to halt sensitive nuclear work.

The six powers have been trying to convince Iran to abandon uranium enrichment amid Western fears that Tehran is seeking to build an atomic bomb.

Friday's meeting gained new urgency after the UN nuclear watchdog reported last week that Tehran continued to defy international pressure to cooperate with its investigation.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is strictly aimed at producing civilian energy.

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