YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will press the United Nations Security Council on Friday to further isolate North Korea by swiftly imposing stronger sanctions in the event of further provocations by the reclusive state, including a long-range missile launch or sixth nuclear test, Reuters reports.

Tillerson, in his first visit to the United Nations, will chair a ministerial meeting of the 15-member body. It comes just days after council ambassadors said President Donald Trump made clear - over lunch on Monday at the White House - that he would be the U.S. leader to deal with Pyongyang, ideally peacefully.

"They are now in the phase of working out what the best way to do that is," said a senior council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It was left hanging that there clearly would be a military solution if needed."

The Trump administration is focusing its North Korea strategy on tougher economic sanctions, possibly including an oil embargo, a global ban on its airline, intercepting cargo ships and punishing Chinese banks doing business with Pyongyang, U.S. officials told Reuters earlier this month.