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Obama hardens response to Iran violence

He says he is 'appalled' and makes it clear that be believes human-rights violations are taking place

AP Photo

Images of Neda Agha Soltan, a 26-year-old woman who bled to death in a Tehran street, are now powerful symbols for such demonstrators as these men in Israel. The video of her death was cited by President Obama as evidence of human-rights violations.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: June 24, 2009

WASHINGTON

Dramatically hardening the U.S. reaction to Iran's disputed elections and bloody aftermath, President Obama condemned the violence against protesters yesterday and lent his strongest support yet to their accusations that the hard-line victory was a fraud.

Obama, who has been accused by some Republicans of being too timid in his response to events in Iran, declared himself "appalled and outraged" by the deaths and intimidation in Tehran's streets -- and scoffed at suggestions that he was toughening his rhetoric in response to the criticism.

He suggested that Iran's leaders will face consequences if they continue "the threats, the beatings and imprisonments" against protesters. But he repeatedly declined to say what actions the U.S. might take, retaining -- for now -- the option of pursuing diplomatic engagement with Iran's leaders over its suspected nuclear-weapons program.

"We don't know yet how this thing is going to play out," the president said. "It is not too late for the Iranian government to recognize that there is a peaceful path that will lead to stability and legitimacy and prosperity for the Iranian people. We hope they take it."

Obama borrowed language from struggles throughout history against oppressive governments to condemn the efforts by Iran's rulers to crush dissent after the June 12 presidential elections. Citing the searing video circulated worldwide of the apparent shooting death of Neda Agha Soltan, a 26-year-old woman who bled to death in a Tehran street and now is a powerful symbol for the demonstrators, Obama said that human-rights violations were taking place.

"No iron fist is strong enough to shut off the world from bearing witness to peaceful protests of justice," he said during a nearly hourlong White House news conference dominated by the unrest in Iran. "Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history."

Obama's comments came as protests in Iran appeared to be more restrained.

Overwhelmed by police and left with limited alternatives, Iranian demonstrators resorted yesterday to more subtle ways of challenging the outcome of the presidential election: holding up posters, shouting from rooftops, and turning on car headlights.

The expressions of discontent appeared to be scattered as Iran's ruling clerics dealt the opposition new setbacks, making clear that they have no intention of holding a new vote and setting up a special court to deal with hundreds of protesters arrested in more than a week of unrest.

Iran also expelled two diplomats from Britain -- a nation it accuses of meddling and spying -- and Britain in turn sent two Iranian envoys home.

The latest moves, and a fresh deployment of riot police and militia to break up any gatherings, signaled the regime's determination to squelch dissent and mute the voices of those whose protests have been the largest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

"People are calmly protesting, more symbolically than with their voices," a Tehran resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of government retribution.