In a wide-ranging policy address to the Council on Foreign Relations,U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged that the U.S. will "not hesitate to defend our friends, our interests, and above all, our people vigorously and when necessary with the world's strongest military."
"Our willingness to talk is not a sign of weakness to be exploited," she said. "This is not an option we seek nor is it a threat; it is a promise to all Americans."
"Direct talks provide the best vehicle for presenting and explaining that choice," Clinton said. "That is why we offered Iran's leaders an unmistakable opportunity: Iran does not have a right to nuclear military capacity, and we're determined to prevent that. But it does have a right to civil nuclear power if it reestablishes the confidence of the international community that it will use its programs exclusively for peaceful purposes."
"Iran can become a constructive actor in the region if it stops threatening its neighbors and supporting terrorism. It can assume a responsible position in the international community if it fulfills its obligations on human rights. The choice is clear. We remain ready to engage with Iran, but the time for action is now. The opportunity will not remain open indefinitely," she said.
