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Gordon Brown has warned Iran he is prepared to consider more sanctions against Tehran.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert the Prime Minister argued that the world community was at risk from Iran's nuclear ambitions

He said: "We are absolutely clear that we are ready and will push for further sanctions against Iran.

"We will work through the United Nations to achieve this."

Mr Brown also argued that sanctions should reach the point "up to where Iran stops its nuclear programme".

Iran's refusal to halt work that can be used to make fuel for power plants or material for warheads, has prompted the UN Security Council to impose two sets of sanctions.

Mr Olmert said he supported the British stance and he hoped the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana would echo the message when he met his new Iranian counterpart Saeed Jalili later on Tuesday.

He added: "Economic sanctions are effective. But they are not sufficient. So there should be more."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country will not retreat from its nuclear programme.

He said: "We are in favour of talks but we will not negotiate with anyone about our right to nuclear technology. Iran will not retreat one iota."

The West suspects Iran of working on its own atomic bomb and wants it to halt the nuclear programme. Tehran says its programme is peaceful and has vowed to go ahead with it.

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