Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Iran to reconsider its nuclear policy on Sunday.
Clinton is holding talks with top government leaders and speaking at an international conference called the U.S. Islamic World forum.
Seeking more Arab diplomatic pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear, Clinton said Iran’s nuclear policy is dangerous and is leaving the world little choice but to impose “greater costs.”
“I would like to figure out a way to handle it in as peaceful an approach possible, and I certainly welcome any meaningful engagement, but … we don’t want to be engaging while they are building their bomb,” Clinton said.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that Iran was close to enriching uranium nearly pure enough for atomic bombs, but reiterated it was not interested in acquiring nuclear weapons. Clinton said Iran had refused to demonstrate that its nuclear program was entirely peaceful.
“What does Iran have to hide? Clinton said. “Why is Iran refusing to live up to its international obligations, which would lead to political and economic integration with the international community that would actually benefit its people?
Clinton said she understands that people are disappointed that a breakthrough in nuclear talks have not yet been achieved.
“But we must remember that neither the United States nor any country can force a solution. The parties must resolve their differences through negotiations,” Clinton said.