US President Barack Obama (2nd L) and Vice President Joe Biden (L), along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Also pictured are Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (2nd R) and Defense Secretary Robert Gates (R). Please note: A classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured at source. Picture taken May 1, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

ROME -- US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday she has "no idea" what she and the rest of President Barack Obama's national security team were watching at the precise moment that a photographer snapped what has become an iconic image of the operation that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

"Those were 38 of the most intense minutes," Clinton said of the raid on bin Laden's compound by US Navy SEALs. "I have no idea what any of us were looking at at that particular millisecond when the picture was taken."

The photo was taken by the White House photographer Sunday night as Obama and his national security team monitored the assault. Clinton is covering her mouth with her right hand, but she said Thursday that the gesture might not convey any special significance.

"I am somewhat sheepishly concerned that it was my preventing one of my early spring allergic coughs," she said. "So, it may have no great meaning whatsoever."