Clinton: Iran diplomacy could lead to sanctions

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday by trying to talk Iran out of its nuclear program the U.S. is in a better position to organize tougher international sanctions in the event that diplomacy fails,

"We actually believe that by following the diplomatic path we are on, we gain credibility and influence with a number of nations who would have to participate in order to make the sanctions regime as tight and as crippling as we would want it to be," Clinton told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Iran denies that its nuclear program is intended to develop weapons.The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported Wednesday that Iran welcomes a "constructive" dialogue with world powers over its nuclear program, but insisted that it won't halt its uranium enrichment activities.

Clinton said the administration is confident that with the help of international partners, it can put together a comprehensive sanctions regime against Iran, "should we need it."

She said it would be needed "in the event we are unsuccessful or stonewalled in our other approach."

President Obama and Clinton have made humility a centerpiece of their foreign policy, drawing praise from world leaders and wrath from some Republicans at home.

Clinton testified before Congress Wednesday about "new beginnings" in the Obama administration's approach to the world. So far, Clinton and Obama's new approach has included frank assessments of past U.S. shortcomings.

• In France, Obama said that "there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive," failing "to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world."

• On the way to Mexico, Clinton said American demand for drugs and illegal weapons sales here is partly to blame for the drug violence south of the border.

• En route to Europe, Clinton called the multibillion-dollar U.S. reconstruction effort in Afghanistan "heartbreaking," because she said there is little to show for it.