Clinton: No deal better than 'bad deal' with Iran

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today said that she was "personally skeptical" that Iran would agree to a comprehensive deal to remove its nuclear weapon capabilities but said the Obama administration faced a promising opportunity that required it to "give diplomacy space to work."
Clinton told the American Jewish Committee that American negotiators needed to be "tough" and "clear-eyed" as they conduct nuclear talks but said the ongoing talks in Vienna between six world powers and Iran, represented an opportunity to reduce Iran's potential nuclear weapons-making ability. The talks are being conducted ahead of a July 20 target date for a deal.

"To get there we will have to be tough, clear-eyed and ready to walk away and increase the pressure if need be. No deal is better than a bad deal," Clinton said, adding that any deal that endangers US or Israeli national security should be rejected.
But Clinton called it a "promising development and we need to test it to see what can be achieved. This is a time to give diplomacy space to work. If it does not, there will be opportunities to put in place additional sanctions in the future."
As she considers a potential 2016 presidential campaign, Clinton's speech to the prominent Jewish organisation represented one of her most vigorous defenses of her tenure at the State Department and highlighted her work to rein in Iran's nuclear ambitions and promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Clinton is preparing for a high-profile tour next month to promote her upcoming book, "Hard Choices," and expects to help Democrats later this year before mid-term elections. Republicans have questioned Clinton's record as America's top diplomat and have made clear that they intend to try to turn her foreign policy decisions into political liabilities if she runs for president again.

Clinton presented her time at the State Department as collaboration with President Barack Obama, citing their work to prevent Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons as an example.
She noted the recent firing of missiles at Israeli troops by militants in the Gaza Strip and warned that the Islamic militant group Hamas must reject violence and accept Israel's right to exist.

"If Hamas refuses to take these basic steps toward peace and legitimacy then they will remain a pariah," she said.