Clinton: Time limited for peaceful solution to Iran nuclear program

As the new U.S.-Gulf security forum wraps up in Saudi Arabia, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Iran's time is limited to resolve its nuclear situation.

Fresh talks between Iran and world powers are expected to get underway in mid-April as Tehran faces increasing economic and political pressure over its nuclear activities.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILARY CLINTON SAYING :

"It soon will be clear whether Iran's leaders are prepared to have a serious credible discussion about their nuclear program, whether they are ready to start building the basis of a resolution to this very serious problem. It is up to Iran's leaders to make the right choice. We will see whether they will intend to do so, starting with the P5+1 negotiations in Istanbul April 13-14. What is certain however, is that Iran's window to seek and obtain a peaceful resolution will not remain open forever.".

Western diplomats and analysts say that getting Iran to stop the higher-level uranium enrichment will be a priority in next month's talks.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only and has repeatedly rejected U.N. resolutions calling for a suspension of all uranium enrichment.

After meeting with Clinton, Gulf foreign ministers said the UN-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan should set a timeline for unspecified measures should his efforts fail to halt the bloodletting.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal,

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL ,SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER, ON SYRIA, SAYING:

"The arming of the opposition is a duty, I think, because it cannot defend itself except with weapons"

Syria says a year-long revolt to topple President Bashar al-Assad is now over, but it will keep its forces in cities to quote "maintain security" until it is safe to withdraw.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters