Clinton: U.S. to put Iran ‘to the test’ on nukes

Watch CBS Videos Online   Secretary Clinton was on TV yesterday! In a Face the Nation interview that was pre-taped Friday, Clinton talked about the recent news of Iran’s secret nuclear facility and the upcoming Oct. 1 meeting between representatives of Iran and the P5+1 countries — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United ...

Watch CBS Videos Online

 

Secretary Clinton was on TV yesterday! In a Face the Nation interview that was pre-taped Friday, Clinton talked about the recent news of Iran’s secret nuclear facility and the upcoming Oct. 1 meeting between representatives of Iran and the P5+1 countries — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States.

Clinton said of Iran, its nuclear facility, and the Oct. 1 meeting:

We don’t believe that they can present convincing evidence that it’s only for peaceful purposes, but we are going to put them to the test on October 1st."

When asked, "What can Iran say in this meeting to say we’re really — all all we’re trying to do is make electricity?", Clinton bluntly replied:

Well, they can’t say anything because they’ve said that for years, but they can open up their entire system to the kind of extensive investigation that the facts call for."

When interviewer Harry Smith asked Clinton about the "crippling sanctions" that Clinton said should be put in place if diplomacy with Iran fails, she replied:

Well, Harry, we’re exploring how you broaden and deepen sanctions. Now sanctions are already in place as you know, but like many sanction regimes they’re leaky. But in the last eight months since we’ve been dealing with North Korea on a similar set of issues we have forged an international consensus around very tough sanctions. And that’s given us some additional information about how to proceed on the Iranian front."

When the interview switched to Pakistan, Clinton had complimentary words:

HARRY SMITH: Is Pakistan doing enough to clean up its own house?

HILLARY CLINTON: Well, look at, again, what has happened in the last nine months. Pakistan has increased its commitment in the fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda.

HARRY SMITH (overlapping): They were successful in Swat valley.

HILLARY CLINTON: Absolutely successful.

Clinton did add, though, that the United States is working for even more action from Pakistan.

Meanwhile, husband Bill was on Meet the Press. When asked about the presence of Hillary’s famously worded "vast right-wing conspiracy," Bill said:

It’s not as strong as it was, because America’s changed demographically, but it’s as virulent as it was."

And when asked whether Hillary will ever run for president again, Bill replied:

That’s up to her. I don’t — you know, we’re not getting any younger. But I’m proud of what she’s doing now. I think she’s doing a good job and I’m honored that — I think it’s pretty thrilling that she and the president have established the relationship they have. And it’s a good argument for reconciliation and remembering the big things for all the rest of us."

Preeti Aroon was copy chief at Foreign Policy from 2009 to 2016 and was an FP assistant editor from 2007 to 2009. Twitter: @pjaroonFP

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