IRAN TALKS DISCUSSION -

The U.N. deadline for Iran to halt their uranium enrichment program is August 31. However, reports suggest that the UN Security Council will not immediately impose sanctions on the country, which last week stated bluntly that it will not stop its nuclear activities, but appeared amenable to some compromise about its program.

RadioFreeEurope quotes Gholamreza Aqazedeh, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Org, stating today that he will visit Russia next week to discuss the proposal drafted by GermanY and the 5 permanent members of the UNSC.

Recent UNSC comments suggest that it will take time to respond to Iran's refusal to stop its uranium enrichment by Thursday. An AP report Tuesday quotes Britain's UN Ambassador Emyr Jones-Parry saying the UNSC will need until mid-Sept before acting on its threat of sanctions.

Before the UNSC can act, it will need to receive a report from The IAEA on Iran's compliance regarding the UNSC proposal.

US Ambassador Josh Bolton has stressed that the US will seek sanctions if Iran disregards the proposal.