2010-06-28 21:32

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves after the reading of prayers before he speaks during a news conference in Tehran June 28, 2010. [Agencies]

TEHRAN -- Iran said on Monday it intended to punish the West for imposing new sanctions by delaying talks on its nuclear plans and warned inspections of its ships in connection with the programme could provoke retaliation.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a news conference that Iran was prepared to return to talks but only by the second half of the Muslim festival of Ramadan -- in late August.

"It's a punishment to teach them a lesson to know how to have a dialogue with nations," he said. The West suspects Iran's nuclear programme is designed to produce nuclear weapons but Tehran says it is for fuel and medical use.

When asked what Iran would do if its ships were inspected, the president said: "If they make the slightest mistake we will definitely retaliate." He did not elaborate.