Clinton: No Iran illusions

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said America had no illusions that Iran would return to negotiations about its nuclear programme and would not wait much longer for Tehran to respond.

Both Mrs Clinton and national security adviser James Jones said Washington had little choice but to deal with the government of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, despite claims of a fraudulent election and sympathy for the thousands who protested against the outcome.

“We were under no illusions before their elections that we can get the kind of engagement we are seeking,” Mrs Clinton said. “If there is a response, it needs to be on a fast track. We’re not going to keep the window open forever.”