Nuclear watchdog reports Iran's defiance to UN

The Islamic Republic that insists its nuclear program is peaceful ignored the deadline set by the UN Security Council, which expired Wednesday, and could now face stringent sanctions and isolation.

Mohamed ElBaradei, secretary general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the Islamic Republic was continuing enrichment activities and was working to build more centrifuges in its underground center in Natanz in an apparent effort to reach an industrial-scale production of nuclear fuel.

ElBaradei, however, said Iranian authorities had given UN inspectors access to all requested nuclear sites and documents and presented detailed reports on the use and storage of nuclear materials in line with Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty provisions.

Iran is already under sanctions from the UN Security Council imposed December 23, which ban nuclear technology deliveries to and restrict financial transactions with the country.

The report will be made public Friday when the Security Council will discuss nuclear non-proliferation issues.

Currently the Security Council is currently holding consultations behind closed doors with the IAEA official who delivered the report.