US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the US is prepared to bolster the defence of its Gulf allies if Iran develops a nuclear weapons programme. Mrs Clinton said if the US extended a “defence umbrella” over the region, it was unlikely that Iran would be any stronger or safer having a weapon. She said the US was still offering engagement to Iran but warned that the “nuclear clock was ticking”. Mrs Clinton reiterated President Barack Obama’s policy that talks were still an option between Iran and the US, but that “crippling action” could also be considered.
