Hillary Clinton: U.S. is serious about preventing a nuclear Iran

(CBS News) The United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

"Everybody needs to know, most particularly the Iranians, that we are serious that they cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon," Clinton told Charlie Rose in a joint interview conducted Wednesday with former Secretary of State James Baker.

Baker said he supported the administration's current efforts but then bluntly said "at the end of the day, if we don't get it done the way the administration is working on it now, which I totally agree with, then we ought to take them out."

Clinton, as a sitting diplomat, was more cautious in her language, saying "we are working hard" on the issue when Rose turned the microphone to her for an immediate response.

"It is not only about Iran and about Iran's intentions, however one tries to discern them, it's about the arms race that would take place in the region with such unforeseen consequences, because you name any country with the means anywhere near Iran that is an Arab country," she said.

"If Iran has a nuclear weapon, I can absolutely bet on it and know I will win, they will be in the market within hours. And that is going to create a cascade of difficult challenges for us and for Israel and for all of our friends and partners," said Clinton.