Clinton: U.S. must address Israel security, Palestinian aspirations

Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday the United States must address Israel's security needs and the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations as part of a pragmatic U.S. foreign policy.

"As we focus on Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, we must also actively pursue a strategy of smart power in the Middle East that addresses the security needs of Israel and the legitimate political and economic aspirations of the Palestinians," Clinton said in prepared remarks for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The New York Democrat also said the United States must pursue a foreign policy that "effectively challenges Iran to end its nuclear weapons program and sponsorship of terror and persuades both Iran and Syria to abandon their dangerous behavior and become constructive regional actors."

Clinton said that the incoming Obama administration would take no options off the table when dealing with Iran over its nuclear ambitions but a policy review was being done over how to tackle Iran.

"No option is off the table," she told the confirmation hearing as top U.S. diplomat. "But we will pursue a new, different approach," she added. "What we have tried has not worked."