Manhattan (US): Former US President Bill Clinton expressed opposition to attacking Iran over its nuclear programme, saying sanctions are working better than people think and questioning whether a military strike would work.
Clinton said on Friday the US could not be sure that a military strike would destroy Iran's nuclear programme, and he noted that Iran's population is three times larger than Iraq's.
The former president made his comments in answer to audience questions following a 45-minute lecture on the Kansas State University campus attended by about 9,000 people.
His remarks touched on a wide range of topics, including the need to improve health care and the economy in the US and alleviate poverty abroad.
His comments about Iran came as officials from the US and other major powers have been discussing imposing new sanctions against Iran over its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.
The UN Security Council imposed sanctions in December, but the Bush administration has not ruled out military action.
"We should be talking to the Iranians," Clinton said. "Attacking them is a whole different kettle of fish."
He argued that two-thirds of Iran's population wants a moderate government and that sanctions could have some influence on the nation's powerful clerics.
"We may not have to go to war, and we may not have a disaster," he said. "You need to talk to everybody before you bomb them. In other words, if you're going to fight with somebody - I don't care what you don't have in common - you should talk first."
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