U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has wrapped up a diplomatic tour focused on Iran's nuclear program ahead of U.N. Security Council meetings.
Ms. Rice held talks with leaders in Central Asia, France, Russia and Britain on ways to bring Iran back to stalled nuclear talks.
Washington wants to refer Iran to the Security Council for possible sanctions if Tehran continues not to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Russian officials disagree, telling Secretary Rice the matter should be handled within the IAEA.
Ms. Rice said Sunday that headway is being made on the Iran nuclear issue because the United States and European Union are unified.
Tehran insisted Sunday it is ready to return to nuclear talks with European negotiators, but will not give in to EU demands that it stop processing nuclear fuel first.
Iran denies U.S. and European accusations it is secretly trying to develop atomic weapons.