U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has responded to Iran's declaration today that it had no "reverse gear" on its nuclear program by saying that Tehran needs to halt weapons-related activities.

Iran has told the U.N. Security Council it has no intention of producing atomic weapons, and accused Western countries of distorting facts about Iranian nuclear intentions. VOA's Peter Heinlein at the U.N. report the Iranian denial came as western diplomats signaled their intent to push for further sanctions against Tehran.

U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said the United States is on a diplomatic path to resolve Iran's refusal to stop its nuclear enrichment program, while Vice President Dick Cheney said the U.S. has taken none of its options off the table.

A South Korean news agency says North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator will visit the United States next week for follow-up talks on a recent disarmament deal.

North Korea is taking steps to carry out promises it made earlier this month in a landmark nuclear agreement.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has again vowed to pursue nuclear technology - a day after the U.N. nuclear agency reported that Iran has failed to stop enriching uranium as demanded by the Security Council.

Russia's ambassador to the UN has questioned the usefulness of more sanctions against Iran.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says world powers have a common goal of getting Iran to resume talks about its controversial nuclear program and to halt its uranium enrichment activity.

Iran has expanded its uranium enrichment program instead of complying with a U.N. Security Council ultimatum to freeze it, the U.N nuclear watchdog agency said Thursday. The finding clears the path for harsher Security Council sanctions against Tehran.

The United States Thursday expressed disappointment over Iran's failure to comply with the U.N. resolution on its nuclear program, calling it a missed opportunity for the Iranian government and people. The State Department says consultations on follow-up action are already under way.

A new report says North Korea is probably able to mount a nuclear weapon on missiles it already has. The scope and intentions of North Korea's weapons programs are a matter of governmental ambiguity in South Korea, where senior officials are getting ready for a high-level meeting in Pyongyang next week.

Iran has given no indication it intends to halt uranium enrichment by today's United Nations Security Council deadline, as Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad vowed today that Tehran will press ahead with its nuclear program.