Asked whether Russia, a key player on the Iran issue, would join the effort to impose sanctions despite its economic interests in Iran, Clinton made no promises.
But she said that Russia "has begun to see many more indications that Iran is engaging in threatening behavior." And she said Russia has been "very supportive" of the international sanctions on North Korea.
Clinton said that in this week's meeting the burden will be on Iran to prove its assertions that its program is only for peaceful purposes. She said that nothing short of opening up the facilities to inspection would do.
"Words are not enough," she said. "They're going to have to come and demonstrate clearly to the international community what they're up to."
On Afghanistan, Gates said that although President Barack Obama is reviewing an ambitious strategy recommended by U.S. military commanders that would include a troop increase, Gates believes it is not possible to wage a narrowly focused battle against militants without a U.S. troop presence that helps gather necessary intelligence from civilians.
"You can't do this from a distance," he said.
But on "Fox News Sunday," Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said Americans have no appetite for the kind of long-term strategy the administration now has in place for Afghanistan.
"I do not believe that the American people want to be in Afghanistan for the next 10 years, effectively nation-building," she said.
She blasted the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, saying the central government is "unreliable and not very competent. ... If Karzai doesn't shape up, a lot of people have questions about whether anything can be a success in Afghanistan," she said.
