. . .

QUESTION: Are you - is the United States considering any incentives to Russia and China so that they help put more pressure on - I mean, I'm thinking of the change of heart and the missile shields and so on. Is that --

MR. WOOD: I'm sorry, I don't understand the question.

QUESTION: Are there any incentives that the United States is willing to provide to Russia and China so that they step up their pressure on Iran to rethink its nuclear program?

MR. WOOD: Russia and China are under no illusions about Iran's nuclear program. And, you know, through the P-5+1, we've been cooperating closely. We'll continue to work closely with those countries and others because we have very serious concerns about what Iran is doing with regard to its nuclear program. And what we've said over and again, that while Iran has a right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, it also has responsibilities. And it needs to address many of the major concerns that the international community has about what it's actually doing with regard to its nuclear programs.

So, China and Russia have been very supportive. They will continue to be. And we will always be looking for ways to try to get Iran to comply with its international obligations.

Yes, sir.

QUESTION: Also on Iran and on the Middle East, Defense Secretary Gates seemed to be downplaying the possibility of a major breakthrough between the U.S. and Iran, saying "I believe that kind of prospect is very remote." And you voiced your concerns about Iran. Is the U.S. still optimistic for a response from Tehran, from the new Administration?

MR. WOOD: Well, I don't think we've ever used the word "optimistic" about a response. We hope that Iran will certainly respond, first and foremost, to Javier Solana's invitation to attend the next P-5+1 meeting. But it's really up to Iran. I mean, we have, you know, as we've said many times, reached out our hand. We're willing to engage in direct diplomacy. We have said that.

But, you know, Iran needs to take some steps as well. And one of the things that Iran can do to, I think, improve the atmosphere, certainly, is to release Roxana Saberi and - you know, but again, it's up to Iran. We have reached out and we'll have to see what Iran, in the end, decides to do.

QUESTION: What type of --

QUESTION: What's your understanding of her situation right now?

MR. WOOD: Well, I don't have any update from the one I gave a couple of days ago. I know that - I know that we are working very hard diplomatically. The Iranians have not been forthcoming in terms of providing additional information. However, we understand that there is going to be an appeal, I think, coming up fairly soon. And we hope that this process is very transparent and open. But again, we believe that the charges against her are baseless, without foundation, and we want to see her released so that she can rejoin her family.

QUESTION: What about this - the other one, the - who was working for the American NGO, Silva Harotonian?

MR. WOOD: Yeah. I don't have an - we do have something. We can get you an update on that. I believe there is one. I just don't have it with me. But we do have an update on it.

QUESTION: Are there specific concerns from allies in the Middle East, be it Egypt or Israel, about the U.S.'s new approach towards Iran? Are they voicing concerns to the United States?

MR. WOOD: Well, look, you'll have to speak to those governments about, you know, concerns that they may have with regard to Iran. But many countries, if not all countries, are well aware that we have decided to engage Iran in direct diplomacy. Because we believe, over the last eight years, our policies haven't worked, and we want to try to reach out and engage them and see if Iran is interested in a real dialogue.

But, you know, with regard to other countries' concerns about our engagement, I don't think they have any need to be concerned. We've been prepared and have briefed them on, you know, our activities and the outcome of our Iran policy review. So there are no secrets here, and we will keep them informed as we go forward. But again, I think the ball is clearly in Iran's court in terms of reaching out to the United States.

Yes, Raghida.

QUESTION: Ambassador Nicholas Burns testified this morning at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Iran, and he said that he believes that the threat of use of force should be kept over Iran for the possible negotiations to work. Is - any comments on that?

MR. WOOD: Nothing other than to say that I didn't realize my good friend, Nick Burns, was testifying this morning. But our policy is very clear: We're pursuing diplomacy, a two-track approach with our other partners in the P-5+1. And that's where our efforts are focused.

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