White House adviser: World has united against Iran

[April 01, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A top White House adviser says the U.S. is making progress in its efforts to find allies to hold the line on Iran's nuclear ambitions.

David Axelrod tells CNN's "State of the Union" that at the start of the Obama administration, Iran was united while the world was divided on how best to deal with Iran.

Axelrod says the situation is now reversed -- the world is coming together while Iran itself is divided.

He says he's pleased with the cooperation that the Russians have offered and believes Moscow will support fresh penalties against Tehran.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (dih-MEE'-tree med-VYEH'-dyev) said Saturday that punishing Iran even more because of its nuclear program is not the best option, but added that such a step can't be excluded.

Top adviser Valerie Jarrett says on ABC's "This Week" that a "strong world coalition" is coming together that will cause Iran to back down.

[Associated Press]

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