IAEA: Iran still defiant on nuclear effort

TEHRAN, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency says the Iranian government is still defying the international community over its controversial nuclear program.

The Wall Street Journal said Friday that the claim from the U.N. agency in its latest quarterly report comes as the United States is preparing to call for additional sanctions on Iran for its nuclear efforts.

The IAEA report was released the same day that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for protest leaders to be prosecuted for demonstrations against his recent presidential election victory.

"Severe punishment must await the leaders of the movement," Ahmadinejad said Friday, "lest they have immunity and lowly agents be punished cruelly."

The Wall Street Journal said while Ahmadinejad eyes prosecution of those demonstrators, the U.N. Security Council will meet in Frankfurt, Germany, to determine how to respond to Iran's nuclear program.

Both China and Russia are expected to oppose calls for more sanctions against Iran given those countries' trading efforts with the Middle Eastern country, the Journal said.