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The situation in Iran has become more and more worrisome over recent months," Robert J. Einhorn, the State Department’s  special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, said at a news conference in Seoul. "The timeline for Iran’s nuclear program is beginning to get shorter."

Mr. Einhorn said if a diplomatic solution was not found, "pressures will grow for a much stronger kind of action."

"That’s why we need to act soon," he said. "That’s why we want to work with all of our partners around the world, including the Republic of Korea, to send a right signal to Iran."

The Foreign Ministry in Seoul confirmed that Washington has asked South Korea to reduce imports of Iranian petrochemicals and find alternative suppliers. It said it was reviewing the request.