Time not 'infinite' for Iran talks

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday warned Iran that time was not "infinite" for diplomacy and that "all options remain on the table" after a dispute over the venue of talks.

Clinton said that the European Union would look into setting a time and place for long-moribund talks on Iran's nuclear program but vowed that the United States would maintain "strong pressure" to address concerns.

"We want to see a peaceful resolution of the international community's concerns, but the time for diplomacy is not infinite and all options remain on the table to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," Clinton said.

"Until Iran comes into compliance with its international obligations and demonstrates the peaceful intent of its nuclear program, they will continue to face strong pressure and isolation," she said.

"So the sooner that we can begin talks, the better it will be," she said at a joint news conference with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

Call for agreement

China on Thursday called for an early agreement on the venue for nuclear talks between Iran and the six international mediators.

"(China) hopes that all the parties concerned will make joint efforts to reach an agreement on the venue for the dialogue at an early date," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular news briefing.

The venue dispute arose days ahead of the upcoming talks between Iran and the United States, Britain, France, Russia, and China, plus Germany, also known as P5+1.

Clinton said last week that the six world powers and Iran had agreed to meet in Istanbul on April 13 to resume their stalled talks over Teheran's controversial nuclear program.

But Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said on Wednesday that China and Iraq are also considered by Teheran as the venues for the talks.

"The Chinese side believes that the venue for the dialogue is not the most important issue," Hong said, adding that "what is crucial is that the P5+1 and Iran should start the dialogue, push ahead with it and achieve results through the dialogue".

Israel impatient

Clinton said that EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton was working with Iran to determine the details of the talks.

"We understand that these consultations are at an advanced stage and we expect that Lady Ashton will formally announce the date and place of the talks once it is finally confirmed," Clinton said.

Israel has voiced growing impatience with Iran, leading to speculation it may launch a military strike. Israel and some Western officials fear that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon, but Teheran says its work is for peaceful purposes.

The last round of talks between Iran and the so-called P5+1 group was held in Istanbul in January 2011 and ended in failure. Geneva hosted the round before that in late 2010.

Wendy Sherman, the under secretary of state for political affairs, is expected to represent the United States in any upcoming round of talks, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

AFP-Xinhua