INSTANT VIEW: Iran defies atom work deadline: U.N. watchdog

LONDON (Reuters) - Following are reactions to the International Atomic Energy Agency report that said Iran had failed to meet a February 21 deadline to suspend uranium enrichment, exposing Tehran to possible new sanctions over fears it hopes to produce an atomic bomb.

U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

"I'm deeply concerned that the Iranian government did not meet the deadline set by the Security Council.

"The Iranian nuclear issue has great implications for peace and stability as well as for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. I urge again that the Iranian government should fully comply with the demands as soon as possible and engage in negotiations with the international community so that we can resolve this issue peacefully."

MOHAMMAD SAEEDI, DEPUTY HEAD OF IRAN'S ATOMIC ENERGY Organization

"This report shows that the best way to resolve this international issue is to return to the negotiating table and reach a broad agreement ...

"Regarding the suspension mentioned in the report, because such a demand has no legal basis and is against international treaties, naturally, it could not be accepted by Iran."

ISRAELI DEPUTY ISRAELI Defense MINISTER EPHRAIM SNEH

"The time of diplomacy is not over yet. There is room for effective sanctions against Iran. I mean mainly sanctions which would harm the financial capacities of the ayatollahs' regime, and sanctions that would affect oil distillates. The international community should try effective sanctions before talking about other options."

FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER PHILIPPE DOUSTE-BLAZY

"From what I know of it (the IAEA report), even though I have not yet read it, Iran has not implemented what resolution 1737 asks of it.

"France has therefore not wavered and still has a double approach. An approach of firmness toward Iran, which is that we ask Iran to suspend all its sensitive nuclear activities -- enrichment, conversion of uranium, as well as ballistic missile activities.

"If that is not the case, we want a second resolution, also passed unanimously by the United Nations Security Council, in order to continue sanctions.

"The second approach is openness and dialogue, on one condition, that Iran suspend its sensitive nuclear activities."

BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER MARGARET BECKETT

"We remain committed to a negotiated solution on the basis of the far reaching proposals we made last June, which would give Iran everything it needs to develop a modern civil nuclear power industry and provide a basis for wider co-operation.