U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will try to persuade Brazil to impose new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program as part of her trip to Latin and Central America, which starts on Monday.

According to the U.S. State Department's press-service, Clinton will begin her tour in Uruguay, where she will attend the inauguration of the newly-elected president, Jose Mujica, and meet with Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Later on Monday, Clinton will arrive in Chile, where a devastating earthquake occurred on Saturday, claiming 708 lives, according to latest reports. Clinton will hold talks with the country's outgoing president, Michelle Bachelet, and newly elected president Sebastian Pinera, whose inauguration will take place on March 11.

Clinton is expected to arrive in Brazil, where she will discuss the Iranian nuclear issue with President Luiz Inacio da Silva, on March 3.

Brazil, which currently holds a rotating seat on the United Nations Security Council, has opposed tougher sanctions against the Islamic republic, which are being pushed by the United States.

Iran's nuclear program sparked a new wave of international criticism following Tehran's decision to begin enriching uranium to 20% purity. Western powers suspect Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons, while the republic claims it needs enriched uranium for peaceful power generation.

The Brazilian president, who has called for dialogue with Tehran, intends to visit Iran in May.

The U.S. secretary of state is also expected to visit Costa Rica, where she will take part in a meting of regional foreign ministers and deliver a speech on inter-American trade and economic cooperation.

On Friday, Clinton will fly to Guatemala for a meeting of Central American leaders, in which new Honduran President Porfirio Lobo is expected to take part.

WASHINGTON, March 1 (RIA Novosti)