ABU DHABI - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promised on Monday "severe" Iranian retaliation if the United States attacked his country, which is in a standoff with the West over its nuclear programme.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves as he addresses the Iranian residents of Dubai, May 13, 2007. [Reuters]

"They realize that if they make such a mistake the retaliation of Iran would be severe and they will repent," Ahmadinejad told a news conference in the United Arab Emirates. He was speaking through an interpreter.

Using stronger language than on Sunday when he called for US troops to leave the region, Ahmadinejad said Gulf countries should "get rid of" foreign forces, which he blamed for regional insecurity. He was speaking during a visit to the US-allied UAE.

"We in the Persian Gulf are faced by difficulties and enemies. Those do not want the region to live in safety ... peace can be achieved by getting rid of these forces," he said.

The United States, which has a strong military presence in the Gulf, accuses Iran of seeking to make nuclear weapons and has sought tougher sanctions against Iran. Iran says its only wants to generate power to allow more oil exports.