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Clinton warns of Iran sanctions Clinton warns of Iran sanctions
(41 minutes later)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned that Iran faces "very tough sanctions" if it rejects offers of engagement over its nuclear programme.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned that Iran faces "very tough sanctions" if it rejects offers of engagement over its nuclear programme.
The US was "laying the groundwork" for such measures if Iran rebuffed its overtures, she said, or if attempts to persuade it to halt its efforts failed. The US was "laying the groundwork" for such measures if Iran rebuffed the offers or the process failed, she told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mrs Clinton was speaking before the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. At the same time, the US was more than willing to reach out to Iran, she said.
Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but has been accused by critics of seeking nuclear weapons.Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but has been accused by critics of seeking nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday, Tehran said it was ready for "constructive dialogue" with world powers over its nuclear programme, Iranian news agencies reported.
Last week, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he would present a new package for discussion, but has yet to give details.
Tehran has continued to enrich uranium despite lengthy negotiations in recent years with major powers and despite the imposition of sanctions by the UN Security Council.Tehran has continued to enrich uranium despite lengthy negotiations in recent years with major powers and despite the imposition of sanctions by the UN Security Council.
Iran says it is developing nuclear power for civilian purposes
Earlier this month, the six powers co-ordinating policy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions urged the Iranians to engage in fresh talks on a diplomatic solution.Earlier this month, the six powers co-ordinating policy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions urged the Iranians to engage in fresh talks on a diplomatic solution.
And in a video message last month, US President Barack Obama offered "a new beginning" to the Iranian people and leaders, saying his administration was committed to diplomacy.And in a video message last month, US President Barack Obama offered "a new beginning" to the Iranian people and leaders, saying his administration was committed to diplomacy.
Iran has previously made it clear it is not prepared to compromise on its nuclear programme, or bow to Western demands, correspondents say. Speaking to US lawmakers on Wednesday, Mrs Clinton said the US was both pursuing a diplomatic path over Iran and laying the groundwork for possible sanctions.
She said that by engaging in diplomacy, the US would "gain credibility and influence with a number of nations who would have to participate in order to make the sanctions regime as tight and crippling as we would want it to be".
Dealing with the threat posed by Iran and its nuclear programme was a priority, Mrs Clinton said, and the US was now a "full partner" in international talks on the issue.
She was giving her first testimony before the House since her confirmation hearings in January.