Although Iran has not yet provided a formal response to the United Nations on the issue of whether it will suspend its nuclear development program, news that it has enriched a new batch of uranium appears to indicate a negative reply is forthcoming. Further indication came in the form of a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad, delivered on the day of the U.N. deadline, in which he declared that Iran would never "yield to pressure and will not accept any violation of its rights." The ultimatum issued by the U.N. Security Council was that Iran either announce an end to its nuclear development program by August 31, or face sanctions. Expecting a negative reply, officials from the U.S., France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom have already agreed to meet next week to discuss the next step. The U.S. remains committed to pushing for immediate sanctions.