Hillarysworld

Washington, 22 January (WashingtonTV)—US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday dismissed suggestions that the six powers working to resolve the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program were not united on the need for new sanctions.

Speaking in Washington, Clinton said she was aware that China and other countries – an apparent reference to Russia – had questions about how effective sanctions would be.

“But we are unified in the position that we have to influence the Iranian Government’s behavior concerning its nuclear program,” she said when asked how united the powers were given China’s apparent reluctance.

China and Russia, both veto-wielding members of the United Nations Security Council, have traditionally opposed sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

In recent weeks, China has made clear that it is opposed to new sanctions, at least for now.

On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ma Zhaoxu, told reporters that room for diplomatic efforts “still exists” in resolving the standoff, reports the Xinhua news agency.

He said Beijing always regarded diplomacy and negotiations as the best solutions.

In Washington, Clinton indirectly urged Beijing to consider the consequences if Tehran acquired a nuclear weapon or the capacity to build one.