(PTI): The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Washington might impose new sanctions against Iran if dialogue with Tehran fails.
In her first testimony to Congress since her confirmation as US’ chief diplomat in January, Clinton reassured Howard Berman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who called for dialogue with Tehran.
Berman also urged Washington to garner enough support to impose “crippling sanctions” against Iran if dialogue fails.
Clinton stressed that the US has “more leverage with other nations” through negotiations with the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council–Russia, China, Britain and France–plus Germany, AFP reported.
“We are also laying the groundwork for the kind of very tough, I think you said crippling, sanctions that might be necessary in the event that our offers are either rejected or the process is inconclusive or unsuccessful,” she told Berman.
On Tuesday, US President, Barack Obama, said that the US would continue to “pursue the possibility of improved relations” with Tehran.
He added that possible talks should be “tough” and should be held “without taking a whole host of other options off the table.”
Under US pressure, the UN Security Council has so far imposed three rounds of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
Tehran has repeatedly said that it would never give up its nuclear rights under pressure.