Iran threatens US with 'harm and pain'

IRAN threatened the US with "harm and pain" yesterday for its role in hauling Tehran before the UN Security Council over its nuclear programme.

But the US and its European allies said Iran's nuclear intransigence left the world no choice but to seek Security Council action.

It could impose economic and political sanctions on Iran.

The statements were delivered to the 35-member board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is meeting to focus on Tehran's refusal to freeze uranium enrichment.

The White House dismissed Tehran's rhetoric.

Press secretary Scott McClellan said: "I think that provocative statements and actions only further isolate Iran from the world."

America's ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton - the chief architect of US policy in the Security Council once it takes up the Iran issue - said: "Their threats show why leaving a country like that with a nuclear weapon is so dangerous."

Yesterday's meeting is in effect the last step before the Security Council begins considering Iran's nuclear activities and international fears they could be misused to make weapons.

A statement by the Iranian delegation read: "The United States has the power to cause harm and pain.

"But the United States is also susceptible to harm and pain. So if that is the path that the US wishes to choose, let the ball roll."

The statement did not elaborate on what Iran meant by "harm and pain".

But diplomats accredited to the meeting and in contact with the Iranians said the statement could be a veiled threat to use oil as an economic weapon.

Iran's statement was unusually harsh, reflecting its frustration at failing to deflect the threat of Security Council action against it. Tehran maintains its nuclear programme is for generating electricity.

Iran also attacked "warmongers in Washington" for what it said was an unjust accusation that Tehran's nuclear intentions were mainly for military use. It also suggested America was vulnerable, despite its strength.

"Surely we are not naive about the United States's ... intention to flex muscles," the statement said.

"But we also see the bone fractures underneath."