In Brazil, Hillary Clinton Faces Opposition to Iran Sanctions

(March 3) -- When Hillary Clinton meets with Brazil's president today, it will be a case of the hawk meeting the dove on the subject of Iran.

The U.S. secretary of state stands firmly behind the White House's drive to impose tough new sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear development program. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on the other hand, is just as firm in his stand that sanctions against Iran are ineffective, that Tehran has a right to develop its own nuclear energy program and that negotiations are the way to go.

Iran should not be "pushed against a wall" by the international community, Lula said just hours before he and Clinton were to meet.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, meets with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Brasilia in November 2009.

Evaristo SA/AFP/Getty Images

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, meets with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Brasilia in November. Brazil's leader has said Iran should not be sanctioned for its nuclear program.

Complicating Clinton's visit is that Brazil, a growing economic power in South America and a voting member of the U.N. Security Council, has pursued close ties with Iran.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad received a warm welcome when he visited Brazil last November, and Lula is scheduled to visit Tehran in May.

Clinton made it clear last night that Iran's refusal to reveal its true nuclear intentions violated Security Council resolutions and that the country must pay through sanctions.

"It has been found to be in violation by the International Atomic Energy Agency and by the United Nations Security Council," Clinton told reporters before arriving in Brazil, The Associated Press reported. "These are not findings by the United States. These are findings by the international community."

She added, "And the discussion about Iran's nuclear program is in the United Nations. It is going to be the topic of the United Nations Security Council."

Then, in a direct reference to Lula, she said, "So I want to be sure he has the same understanding that we do as to how this matter is going to unfold."

The U.S. is supported in its tough stance on Iran by Britain, France and Germany. Russia says it is ready to consider new sanctions, but the Chinese, who also hold veto power in the Security Council, are opposed.