The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has failed to meet a United Nations Security Council deadline for suspending uranium enrichment.
That assessment came in an IAEA report delivered to the U.N. Security Council Friday.
On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the United States is seeking a legally binding U.N. resolution to demand that Iran halt the enrichment. The so-called Chapter Seven resolution would clear the way for possible penalties against Iran, and would leave the door open to possible future military action.
But China and Russia, who also are veto-wielding members of the Security Council, oppose sanctions against Iran.
Despite the international pressure, Iran remains defiant about its nuclear program, which it says is for peaceful purposes. The United States accuses Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying Iran does not "give a damn" about Security Council resolutions.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.