U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov met in Moscow on Thursday to discuss arms reductions and Iran.

Burns said after the talks that Russia and the United States would resolve the remaining issues on a new strategic arms reduction deal in the next few weeks.

The new document to replace the START 1 treaty, which expired on December 5, has not been signed yet because the sides have failed to agree on verification and control arrangements to be included in the document.

The new treaty's outline, as agreed on by the Russian and U.S. presidents included cutting nuclear arsenals to 1,500-1,675 operational warheads and delivery vehicles to 500-1,000.

Burns and Ryabkov also discussed the Iran nuclear problem and other international issues.

"International and regional problems, including the Iran nuclear problem, the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East... were discussed during talks between Sergei Ryabkov and William Burns," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

A UN diplomat told journalists on Thursday that a meeting of the Iran Six - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - planned for Saturday in New York had been canceled.

The Iran Six have been trying to persuade Tehran to halt uranium enrichment it says it needs for electricity generation for economic and diplomatic incentives. Iran Six envoys last met in Geneva on October 1.