Iran dismisses Clinton threat as Britain bars firms

Iran today dismissed US secretary of State Hillary Clinton's warning over its nuclear programme, as Britain ordered its financial companies to cease trading with two firms from the Islamic Republic.

Foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said Tehran would not listen to talk of deadlines, but added that it was committed to following international law when it comes to its nuclear programme.

He also repeated Iran's defiant tone that uranium enrichment was its "non-negotiable" right.

London, meanwhile, barred British financial firms from trading with Iran's Bank Mellat and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines amid alleged nuclear links.

The decision came after Clinton warned Iran yesterday 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," she said after talks in London with British Foreign secretary David Miliband.

Ghashghavi used his weekly news conference to respond.

"Our commitments under the international regulations are based on legalities. Remarks that bear threats, deadlines and timetables do not have any impact on us," he said.

However, Clinton also called the October 1 six-party talks on Iran's nuclear programme in Geneva a "constructive beginning" but added that they "must be followed by action."