A day after U.S. officials announced a foiled plot to kill the Saudi ambassador in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Iran's alleged ties to the conspiracy mark a "dangerous escalation" of Iran's sponsorship of terrorism.
SOUNDBITE: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
"This plot, very fortunately disrupted by the excellent work of our law enforcement and intelligence professionals, was a flagrant violation of international and U.S. law and a dangerous escalation of the Iranian government's longstanding use of political violence and sponsorship of terrorism."
Clinton told a Washington-based think tank - Tehran's alleged role showed a disregard for international conventions on protecting diplomats - agreements that Iran had signed.
Saeed Laylaz is a political analyst in Tehran.
SOUNDBITE: Analyst Saeed Laylaz (will try to slim down quote if nadine gets back to help!)
"I imagine that this incident was potentially laying the ground-work for a propaganda campaign against the Islamic Republic within the international platform. We will definitely witness bleaker days between Tehran and Washington, D.C."
Iran has denied involvement in the alleged plot.
U.S. officials said the plot would justify pushing for a new round of U.N. sanctions against Iran.
Sarah Irwin, Reuters.