Clinton to Iran of Economic

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held out the possibility on Wednesday that sanctions on Iran could be eased quickly if Tehran worked with major powers to address questions about its nuclear program. Speaking to reporters about protests in Iran triggered by the collapse of the Iranian currency, which has lost 40 percent of its value against the dollar in a week, Clinton blamed the Iranian government - rather than Western sanctions - for the financial troubles. ...

The rial's losses accelerated in the past week after the government launched an "exchange center" to supply dollars to importers of basic goods. Businessmen say the center failed to meet demand for dollars.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says Iranian leaders are to blame for the sinking Iranian economy and rising economic protests.

Clinton says Tehran is responsible for the country’s economic problems and Iran’s currency hitting a record low against the U.S. dollar.

Speaking Wednesday beside Kazakhstan’s foreign minister, Clinton acknowledged that international sanctions have contributed to Iran’s economic woes. But she said the sanctions could be removed quickly if Iran’s government complies with its nuclear obligations.

Clinton said the goal of U.S. policy is to persuade the Iranian regime to negotiate seriously over its uranium enrichment activity.

The U.S. and many other countries suspect an Iranian weapons program. Iran insists its program is peaceful.