TEHRAN: Iran's hardline press hailed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday for snubbing Western powers after he was sworn in for a second term and warned the Islamic republic would stand up to US "plots." Ahmadinejad, whose re-election in June set off a wave of massive public protests and a deep political crisis, lashed out in particular at Washington which has refused to congratulate him on his victory.

In his speech outlining his plans for the next four years, Ahmadinejad said he would continue to resist "oppressive powers," and told Washington: "Iranians will neither value your scowling and bullying nor your smiles and greetings." Under US President Barack Obama, Washington has made overtures to Iran after three decades of severed ties, but Tehran has so far refused to respond.

"The US is not going to give up its plotting against Iran," said Iran's leading hardline newspaper Kayhan, which last month criticised Ahmadinejad over a number of controversial political decisions.

"But it has clearly understood it can't stand against a powerful Islamic Iran which saw 85 percent turnout in the election. It has realised that adopting its old methods is useless," said the paper, whose editor is appointed by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"But what is unfortunate is that some reformists are not learning from the lessons from the Satan who has deceived them," the paper said referring to Ahmadinejad's rivals who have refused to acknowledge his victory.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid tribute to the opposition movement on Wednesday.

"We appreciate and we admire the continuing resistance and ongoing efforts by the reformers to make the changes that the Iranian people deserve," Clinton told reporters on an African tour.