The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany will meet in Washington on Monday on Iran's nuclear issue, U.S. Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said Friday.

Officials from the six countries will discuss a proposed third UN Security Council resolution on Iran to punish its defiance over its nuclear programs, Burns said.

The six countries have met for several times on the thorny issue but made no significant progress.

Pushed by the United States, two UN Security Council resolutions have been passed to punish Teheran. The United States wants a third UN Security Council resolution for harsher punishments for Iran.

Washington has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied U.S. charges and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2008)