Iran dismisses Clinton warning on nuclear drive

TEHRAN (AFP) – Iran dismissed on Monday US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's warning over Tehran's nuclear programme, saying such "threats" have no impact on the Islamic republic.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said Iran would not listen to any deadlines and added that it was committed to following international laws when it comes to its nuclear programme.

"Our commitments under the international regulations are based on legalities. Remarks that bear threats, deadlines and timetables do not have any impact on us," Ghashghavi said at his weekly press conference, responding to Clinton's comments.

Clinton warned Iran on Sunday that world powers were running out of patience.

"The international community will not wait indefinitely for evidence that Iran is prepared to live up to its international obligations," Clinton said after talks in London with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

She said the six-party talks on Iran's nuclear programme in Geneva on October 1 were a "constructive beginning" but she said they "must be followed by action."

"Words are not enough," she added.

Western powers suspect Iran's nuclear programme is aimed at making atomic weapons, a charge strongly denied by Tehran.

Global powers were outraged after Iran, just days ahead of the Geneva talks, revealed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it was building a second uranium enrichment plant near the holy city of Qom.