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PARIS - Iran's president warned Washington's European allies on Tuesday that Iran would reconsider its relations with them if they insist on punishing Tehran for its nuclear program, saying that would amount to an act of "hostility."

His comments came ahead of a meeting in Paris of diplomats from the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany to discuss imposing penalties on Iran for refusing to stop uranium enrichment.

"I'm telling you in plain language that as of now on, if you try, whether in your propaganda or at international organizations, to take steps against the rights of the Iranian nation, the Iranian nation will consider it an act of hostility," President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a speech before thousands in northern Iran.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gestures during a public gathering at Mottaqi stadium northeast of the capital Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2006. [AP]

"And if you insist on pursuing this path," he continued, Iran "will reconsider its relations with you."

It was the first time that Ahmadinejad had threatened to downgrade relations with European nations, which are responsible of a large portion of Iran's international trade. It was not clear what steps Ahmadinejad had in mind. The president does not have the final word in Iran - that lies with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. When Ahmadinejad on one occasion was quoted as threatening to retaliate against the West by restricting oil sales, he was quickly countermanded.

Kristen Silverberg, the US assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs, said Tuesday the Security Council should swiftly follow through on its earlier resolution demanding that Iran halt enrichment.

"It's now a matter of international law, binding international law, that Iran suspend its activities," Silverberg said in Berlin. "Iran has defied the international community in refusing to do so, and so we think it's important that we move this sanctions resolution as soon as possible.

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