The draft resolution would expand an arms embargo and measures against Iran's banking sector and ban it from sensitive overseas activities like uranium mining and developing ballistic missiles, a US official said.

"The resolution would establish a comprehensive new framework for cargo inspections, both in states' ports and on the high seas," the official told journalists on condition of anonymity.

The draft, which was debated by the 10 non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, had received the blessing of all the veto-wielding permanent members, including China and Russia, the US said.

"We have reached agreement on a strong draft with the cooperation of both Russia and China," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

"This announcement is as convincing an answer to the efforts undertaken in Tehran over the last few days as any we could provide," Clinton told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

AFP