WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is vowing that the Obama administration will not accept a nuclear armed Iran and is working on sanctions “that will bite” to press it to come clean about its suspected atomic program.

“Our aim is not incremental sanctions, but sanctions that will bite,” Clinton said, adding that it is taking time to reach an agreement but that this is “a worthwhile investment for winning the broadest possible support for our efforts.”

In the same remarks prepared for delivery to the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee later on Monday, Clinton also addressed Israel’s role in the Mideast peace process, saying the country faces “difficult but necessary choices” because the status quo with the Palestinians is unsustainable.

The text of her comments was released by the State Department.

She said it was the United States’ duty “to tell the truth when it is needed” and urged Israel to take steps to end the conflict with the Palestinians, which she said “threatens Israel’s long-term future as a secure and democratic Jewish state.”

Clinton’s speech, coming after a spat over an Israeli announcement of plans for new Jewish settlements that rocked the U.S.-Israel relationship, underscored the Obama administration’s “rock solid” commitment to Israel’s security and its future.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address the same group later on Monday. Netanyahu, before departing for Washington, said he had informed U.S. leaders that Israel would not stop the construction of Jewish settlements around Jerusalem.

Iran ‘a menace’
Clinton’s language on Iran and its allies was assertive, and she called parts of the government “a menace” to the Iranian people and the region. She said Iran’s leaders must know there are “real consequences” for not proving their nuclear activities are peaceful.

“Let me be very clear: The United States is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” Clinton said.

“Guaranteeing Israel’s security is more than a policy position for me. It is a personal commitment that will never waver,” she said.

Clinton said that if Iran developed a nuclear weapon, it would embolden terrorists and spark an arms race that would destabilize the Middle East.

“This is unacceptable,” she said. “Unacceptable to the United States. Unacceptable to Israel. And unacceptable to the region and the international community.”

Also see:

Time:  Israel Lobby Wants Iran to Top the U.S. Agenda

.BBC:  Hillary Clinton warns Israel faces ‘difficult’ choices

NPR:  Clinton: U.S. Commitment To Israel ‘Rock Solid’

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