UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Western nations are hoping the UN Security Council will be able to vote tomorrow on a resolution imposing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, diplomats said.

Diplomats from Western countries were speaking to reporters yesterday after the 15-nation council held private talks on how to proceed with a sanctions resolution that is now almost ready for a vote after some five months of negotiations.

Yesterday’s discussions were requested by Turkey and Brazil, two countries that have negotiated a nuclear fuel deal with Iran that they say obviates the need for sanctions.

Ankara and Brasilia had sought a full open meeting of the council to discuss Iran before a vote but eventually agreed there should be further closed-door consultations on Tuesday at ambassadorial level instead. The Western diplomats said they hoped the vote could take place the day after that.

“We’ll have consultations tomorrow, another round,” US Ambassador Susan Rice told reporters. Asked if the vote would take place this week, she nodded affirmatively.

Turkey, Brazil and Lebanon are not expected to vote for the resolution, but none of them has a veto. Western diplomats are expecting 12 countries, including all five veto-holding permanent council members, to vote for the measure, ensuring it will pass.

The draft sanctions resolution was the product of months of talks between the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia. The four Western powers had wanted tougher measures — some targeting Iran’s energy sector — but Beijing and Moscow worked hard to dilute the proposed steps.