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Rice said it was 'ridiculous' to say Bill Clinton was acting in any official capacity during his trip to North Korea.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said that the Obama administration was pleased with the result of former President Bill Clinton’s private mission that resulted in the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee – and wouldn’t rule out bringing him back on board in a more official role in the future.

“Obviously this was not a negotiation. I want to be clear about this,” she told CNN’s John King on “State of the Union.”

“This was a humanitarian mission. But Bill Clinton has enormous skills, experience and talent, we’re very grateful for his willingness to take this private mission, and pleased with the results. I can’t predict what might transpire down the road but we obviously value what he can contribute.”

Clinton traveled to North Korea last week and spoke with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, securing the release of the two women.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) – U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice condemned Iranian “show trials” of pro-democracy protestors and activists Sunday - and told CNN the possibility of a diplomatic resolution to end the standoff over that country’s nuclear program had an expiration date.

“Reports of torture are of great concern to us and suggest the regime in Iran is not reconciled to the concerns of its people and their reactions, their very compelling reactions to the elections,” she told CNN’s John King on “State of the Union.”

The protests hadn’t ended the prospect of negotiations, said Rice. “Obviously we’re deeply concerned by the elections and its aftermath,” she said. “But let’s be realistic: this is not a regime that was a golden child prior the election, and suddenly turned evil. This is a regime with whom we’ve had grave concerns for many, many years.

“…We believe there is a prospect through engagement and through dialogue” to negotiate a peaceful end to the country’s nuclear program, said Rice. “That option remains on the table - but it is not out there forever. …And indeed, if there is not [an] indication Iran is willing to open up and dismantle its nuclear program,” the administration will re-assess the situation.

“We will do a stock-taking in September,” she said.

Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has expressed concern about Iran's nuclear program.

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) - Findings in a recent U.N. report that Iran's nuclear program "has military dimensions" are "troubling," the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Tuesday.

"Iran also still refuses to respond constructively to IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] questions about its past work to develop a nuclear weapons capability," the ambassador, Susan Rice, told a U.N. Security Council subcommittee that deals with ensuring sanctions against Iran are being enforced.

"The United States urges its fellow Security Council members not only to take note of the IAEA's serious findings but also to vigorously support the IAEA in its continuing investigations of these critical matters."

The IAEA is the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency that is charged with inspecting Iran's nuclear facilities.

Rice said Tuesday's meeting was "the Security Council's first session on Iran since the release of the IAEA director general's most recent report on Iran - a report that makes it clear that Iran is still not complying with its international nuclear obligations, including resolutions of this council."

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Dr. Susan Rice, new U.S. ambassador to the U.N., met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon Monday.

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) - President Barack Obama's ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, arrived for her first day on the job Monday calling the U.N. a "great institution" but saying there is "room for improvement."

Watch: Rice vows cooperation

Rice presented her credentials to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at U.N. headquarters in New York Monday morning. She said the two then spoke for 45 minutes, discussing a wide range of international issues, including the situations in Sudan and the Middle East.

After meeting with Ban, Rice spoke to reporters in front of the U.N. Security Council chambers, laying out several key issues that the Obama administration hopes to accomplish at the United Nations: Strengthening the capacity to engage in complex peace operations, advancing U.S. and "collective" interest on climate change and nuclear proliferation, and putting the United States at the center of poverty reduction and fighting disease, cornerstones of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals.

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Clinton's confirmation hearing is set for next Tuesday.

(CNN) - Sen. Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing to be the next sectary of state is set for next Tuesday, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry announced.

Kerry also said the committee will hold a hearing for Susan Rice - President-elect Obama's pick to be the ambassador to the UN — next Thursday.