President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned major world powers today that they could not deprive Iran of its right to nuclear technology by issuing UN resolutions.
Speaking at a news conference, Mr Ahmadinejad added that Iran, which says its atomic aims are entirely peaceful, could retaliate over sanctions imposed on Iranian banks abroad by the UN Security Council.
"If they want to create disturbances ... for parts of our economy, (like) banks, we will retaliate there or in other places," he said.
Mr Ahmadinejad also said he would reconsider his country's relationship with the United States if President George W. Bush's attitude changed.
The US said in response that if Iran wanted to change its relationship with Washington it would have to suspend uranium enrichment.
"The behavior that needs to change is the Iranians, not the United States," said State Department spokesman Tom Casey when asked about the statement.