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.<br/> SOUNDBITE: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton<br/> "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."<br/> 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.<br/> Saeed Laylaz is a political analyst in Tehran.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Analyst Saeed Laylaz (will try to slim down quote if nadine gets back to help!)<br/> "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."<br/> Iran has denied involvement in the alleged plot.<br/> U.S. officials said the plot would justify pushing for a new round of U.N. sanctions against Iran.<br/> Sarah Irwin, Reuters.
