Iran leaves penalty as only choice: Clinton

London, Jan 29: Irked by Iran's repeated denial to curb its nuclear activities, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said on Thursday, Jan 28, that Iran has left the world with no choice then to impose penalties.

This statement by Clinton came at the backdrop of the US' effort to gain support for its US-led sanctions against Iran at United Nations.

Clinton said that US' intention behind the penalty is not punish the people but to bring changes in government's approach towards nuclear programme.

“Our efforts to apply pressure on Iran are not meant to punish the Iranian people. They are meant to change the approach the Iranian government has taken toward its nuclear programme," Ms. Clinton said.

Clinton, who is currently in London, has met the senior officials from key Arab and European nations regarding Iran on Thursday, Jan 28, as part of ongoing process to draw support from countries in favor US and its allies.

Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, France, Germany and Italy are among the list of ministers she has met over Iran, ahead of a U.S.-led sanctions push at the United Nations, expected by the end of the week.

Earlier, president Barack Obama said that Iran's repeated refusal to reconsider its nuclear plan will have consequences.

"As Iran"s leaders continue to ignore their obligations, there should be no doubt. “They, too, will face growing consequences. That is a promise," President Barack Obama said in Wednesday"s State of the Union address.

OneIndia News