国际英语新闻：U.S. warns Iran of defiance's consequences

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) - The Obama administration on Tuesday warned that Iran's rejection of international proposal on its nuclear program would result in consequences, saying engagement is a means to end the program.

"Our policy of engagement is not for the sake of simply engaging. This is not talk for the sake of talking. Engagement is a means toward an end," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.

"If Iran is unwilling to constructively take part in that and change its behavior, then, .. their not changing their behavior will have consequences," Gibbs added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that any country imposes sanctions would regret their decision, but added that Iran is still considering a UN-brokered uranium swap deal.

"For sure, if anyone decide to adopt any measure against Iran, our response ... will be retaliative which will make them regret," said Ahmadinejad in a live press conference broadcast by the state- run IRIB TV.

According to the president, if the West provides the 20 percent uranium fuel, Iran could consider to suspend producing the 20 percent uranium fuel, the level needed to supply for Iran's medical research reactor.

The international community worries Tehran may obtain the uranium fuel needed for nuclear weapons by the same process to purify uranium, while Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Under a swap deal brokered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), about 70 percent of Iran's lower-level enriched uranium would be shipped to Russia for purifying and processing into the 20 percent uranium fuel rods. The higher-level enriched uranium than will be transferred back to Iran.

In a joint letter submitted to the IAEA on Tuesday, the United States, Russia and France said Iran has started enriching uranium to a higher purification level.