We are clear that we will take any diplomatic measures to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and that includes the use of snapback (of sanctions), if needed.

Axar.az reports Britain's deputy U.N. Ambassador James Kariuki told reporters ahead of the meeting.

"Iran continues to flagrantly defy the Security Council, violate its IAEA safeguards obligations, and ignore the clear and consistent concerns of both the Council and the international community," the US mission to the United Nations said in a statement.

“We consider this meeting as an unwarranted interference in the ongoing, constructive engagement between Iran and the IAEA,” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Sa’eed Iravani, said in a statement at a Security Council private meeting on Wednesday.

He said that the move was aimed at prolonging the “failed and unlawful policy of maximum pressure against Iran.” He warned that such actions risk undermining the credibility of the Council.

The closed-door meeting was called by six of the council's 15 members - the U.S., France, Greece, Panama, South Korea and Britain to discuss Tehran's expansion of its stock of uranium close to weapons grade.

Iran has denied wanting to develop a nuclear weapon.

However, it is "dramatically" accelerating enrichment of uranium to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% weapons-grade level, the U.N. nuclear watchdog - the International Atomic Energy Agency - has warned.