Washington, Mar. 12 : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that Washington has a range of options available to it to respond to North Korea should it proceed with a "provocative" long-range ballistic missile launch.

A Fox News report quoted Clinton as telling reporters here: "We will discuss a response if we are not successful in convincing them not to go forward with what is a very provocative act."

"There are a range of options available to take action against the North Koreans in the wake of a missile launch if they pursue that," she added.

Meanwhile, North Korea has taken its first swipe at President Obama, accusing his administration of meddling in its affairs.

"The new administration of the U. S. is now working hard to infringe upon the sovereignty" of North Korea "by force of arms," the North''s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. (ANI)