Clinton talks Iran in Russia

Secretary Clinton discussed Iran with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow today. As one senior U.S. official put it, Clinton wanted to know “what specific forms of pressure Russia would be prepared” to join the United States in if Iran didn’t keep its promises about not developing nuclear weapons.

Lavrov proved tough, though, and didn’t pledge tougher sanctions against Iran, stating at a news conference afterward that sanctions would be counterproductive at this point. “All forces should be aimed at supporting talks,” he said.

Clinton doesn’t support tougher sanctions at this time either, saying at the news conference, “But we are not at that point yet. That is not a conclusion we have reached. And we want to be very clear that it is our preference that Iran works with the international community … to fulfill its obligation on inspections.”

Clinton said that overall her discussion with Lavrov was “very comprehensive and productive.” “I feel very good about the so-called reset,” she said.

Clinton met later with human rights activists and opposition journalists and concluded her day by attending the opera The Love for Three Oranges at the Bolshoi Theatre.

Photo: ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images