Iran scorns US nuclear plan

Iran's hard-line president today ridiculed President Barack Obama's new nuclear strategy.

Iran is a notable exception from the plan's vow not to use nuclear weapons against countries that do not have them.

The US says it and North Korea do not co-operate with the international community on non-proliferation standards.

Concerns over Iran's nuclear programme figure prominently in the new US strategy. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the focus would now be on terror groups such as al-Qaida as well as North Korea's nuclear buildup and Iran's ambitions.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad derided Mr Obama over the plan saying: "American materialist politicians, whenever they are beaten by logic, immediately put their finger on the trigger like cowboys," he said.

"Mr. Obama, you are a newcomer (to politics). Wait until your sweat dries and get some experience. Be careful not to read just any paper put in front of you or repeat any statement recommended.

"(American officials) bigger than you, more bullying than you, couldn't do a damn thing, let alone you."

The West accuses Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. It claims its nuclear programme is only to generate electricity.

Washington is heading a push for the United Nations to impose new sanction on Iran over its refusal to suspect uranium enrichment, a process that can produce either fuel for a reactor or the material for a warhead.

Iran says it has a right to enrichment under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.