"We are not taking any option off the table at all, but we will pursue a new, perhaps different approach that will become a cornerstone of what the Obama administration believes is an attitude toward engagement that might bear fruit," Clinton said.

She added that the new team has no illusions and strongly suggested that Iran may spurn new efforts to talk it out of a suspect nuclear program.

"But the president-elect is committed to that course, and we will pursue it."

The Foreign Relations Committee planned to vote on Clinton's confirmation on Thursday.

The Senate also held confirmation hearings for other Obama choices for Cabinet and top White House positions. Appearing were Peter Orszag, to head the Office of Management and Budget, and Robert Nabors II, for deputy director of OMB; New York housing official Shaun Donovan, to be secretary of housing and urban development; Steven Chu, to head the Energy Department; and Arne Duncan, as education secretary.