AFP image
Washington, New York:
In the US, President Barack Obama has said the results of the Iranian elections have raised serious questions of illegitimacy and that the international community is appalled by the violence in Iran.
He also spoke out against Iran's accusations that the West and America are provoking the people against the government saying these protests are about Iran's future.
Earlier on Tuesday, the UK pulled out some of its diplomats from Tehran as well.
It was a toughening of rhetoric from the US President on Tehran's violent crackdown on street protests.
"I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost," said Obama.
While his language was stronger than in previous statements following the June 12 voting, President Obama reiterated that he was not interfering in Iran's internal affairs.
"I have made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and am not interfering with Iran's affairs, but we must also bear witness to the courage and the dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society," said Obama.
Obama called attempts by the Iranian regime to blame the unrest on the US "patently false and absurd".
"This tired strategy of using old tensions to scapegoat other countries won't work any more in Iran. This is not about the United States or the West; this is about the people of Iran, and the future that they - and only they - will choose," said the US President.
Obama is facing a dilemma. A strong criticism of Iran's disputed election and the violence that has broken out there since then could backfire.
Obama believes the US could become a foil for the Iranian government that wants to blame what's happening on the streets of Tehran on the CIA or the White House. Also, what's going unsaid, is that a strong US reaction could also narrow the chances of talks with the Iranian government about its nuclear programme.
He also spoke out against Iran's accusations that the West and America are provoking the people against the government saying these protests are about Iran's future.
Earlier on Tuesday, the UK pulled out some of its diplomats from Tehran as well.
It was a toughening of rhetoric from the US President on Tehran's violent crackdown on street protests.
"I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost," said Obama.
While his language was stronger than in previous statements following the June 12 voting, President Obama reiterated that he was not interfering in Iran's internal affairs.
"I have made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and am not interfering with Iran's affairs, but we must also bear witness to the courage and the dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society," said Obama.
Obama called attempts by the Iranian regime to blame the unrest on the US "patently false and absurd".
"This tired strategy of using old tensions to scapegoat other countries won't work any more in Iran. This is not about the United States or the West; this is about the people of Iran, and the future that they - and only they - will choose," said the US President.
Obama is facing a dilemma. A strong criticism of Iran's disputed election and the violence that has broken out there since then could backfire.
Obama believes the US could become a foil for the Iranian government that wants to blame what's happening on the streets of Tehran on the CIA or the White House. Also, what's going unsaid, is that a strong US reaction could also narrow the chances of talks with the Iranian government about its nuclear programme.
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