Statement of Nicholas Burns Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

In many ways, I fear that the United States is on a collision course with the government of Iran. How we counter the multiple threats that Iran poses to our most important interests in the Middle East is surely one of our highest policy objectives. But, whether we can find a way to communicate more effectively with the government of Iran and to agree to negotiations on the issues that divide us is another important goal. This twin test of American effectiveness with Iran will be an early and central concern for the Obama Administration.