Clinton, Israeli FM discuss Iran, peace talks

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday discussed with her Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman a wide range of issues, including Iran, bilateral ties and the peace talks with the Palestinians.

In their meeting that lasted about 40 minutes, the pair discussed some seven topics, "just a little bit on each," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

"With regard to Iran, they talked extensively about the impact that the new sanctions are having in our efforts to work with countries around the world to wean them from Iranian oil and, obviously, our mutual commitment to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and to increase the pressure through these sanctions," Nuland told reporters at a regular news briefing.

Following the European Union's decision last month to target Iran's oil exports for sanctions, U.S. President Barack Obama ordered on Sunday to freeze all property of the Iranian government and the financial institutions under U.S. jurisdiction, including that of the Central Bank of Iran, in an effort to tighten the pressure on the Islamic republic over its controversial nuclear program.

The Obama administration prefers a diplomatic approach to Iran' s alleged attempt to acquire nuclear weapons, while rumors are growing about an imminent strike by Israel on the Islamic republic 's nuclear facilities.