国际英语新闻：U.S., Britain reaffirm alliance to address common challenges

Clinton and Hague also discussed possible sanctions on Iran, the NATO mission in Afghanistan and the peace process in the Middle East.

Secretary Clinton said that the Obama administration has been working closely with partners on a new UN Security Council resolution "affirming that there are serious consequences" should Iran continue refusing to live up its international obligations.

Echoing Clinton's remarks, Hague said the new British government will do everything to persuade its European partners to take some similar steps to those taken by the United States to intensify the peaceful pressure on Iran.

"We've never ruled out supporting in the future military action, but we're not calling for it. It is precisely because we want to see this matter settled peacefully and rapidly that we call for the sanctions, that we support the idea of a Security Council resolution," he said.