Secretary of State Rice (file photo)
29 January 2005 -- New U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said she believes diplomacy can resolve the crisis over Iran's nuclear program, but that verification of Iran's nuclear activities is the important issue.
In an interview with the French magazine "Le Figaro," Rice said it is important that the world unite to make Iran understand that it cannot pursue its nuclear ambitions while also being an active member of the international community.
Asked if the United States should use military force against Iran, Rice said she believed the situation could be resolved through diplomacy.
But she said the most important thing was that there be a means of verification so the Iranians cannot get away with running a secret nuclear-weapons program.
She said that if Iran does not honor its obligations, the international community is ready to take the issue to the United Nations Security Council.
The Iranian government denies secretly trying to make nuclear weapons.
(AP/AFP)
Asked if the United States should use military force against Iran, Rice said she believed the situation could be resolved through diplomacy.
But she said the most important thing was that there be a means of verification so the Iranians cannot get away with running a secret nuclear-weapons program.
She said that if Iran does not honor its obligations, the international community is ready to take the issue to the United Nations Security Council.
The Iranian government denies secretly trying to make nuclear weapons.
(AP/AFP)