Region | Iran
Obama 'appalled' by Iran actions
US president condemns violence as Iran and UK expel diplomats, while EU countries summon Tehran envoys.
- Agencies
- Published: 09:53 June 23, 2009
- Image Credit: AP
- An Iranian protestor waves an Iranian flag, as police officers stand guard in front of the British Embassy in Tehran, during a demonstration to protest what demonstrators call "western countries meddling in Iran's domestic affairs, on Tuesday.
London/Washington: President Barack Obama on Tuesday said he has been "appalled and outraged" by the threats, beatings and imprisonments against demonstrators in Iran.
"I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost," Obama said at a news conference.
He called accusations that the US was instigating massive protests "patently false and absurd."
Britain expelled two Iranian diplomats on Tuesday and European nations hauled in ambassadors to express alarm over fresh post-election violence on the streets of Tehran.
At least five EU countries called in Iranian envoys to protest over the Tehran government's crackdown but the United States against insisted it would not interfere in Iran's internal politics.
Brown said Iran had taken "the unjustified step of expelling two British diplomats over allegations that are absolutely without foundation."
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"In response to that action we informed the Iranian ambassador earlier today that we would expel two Iranian diplomats from their embassy in London," he told lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Iran ruled out cancelling the disputed presidential vote, lashing out at the UN "meddling" as it battles the most serious challenge to the Islamic regime in 30 years.
In the latest outburst, the foreign ministry took aim at UN chief Ban Ki-moon over remarks it said smacked of "meddling" in its affairs, the state broadcaster reported.
"These stances are an evident contradiction of the UN secretary general's duties, international law and are an apparent meddling in Iran's internal affairs," ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said
"Ban Ki-moon has damaged his credibility in the eyes of independent countries by ignorantly following some domineering powers which have a long record of uncalled-for interference in other countries' internal affairs and colonisation," he said.
In the latest crackdown on the media, Iran has arrested a journalist of Greek origin working for the Washington Times, the Fars news agency said.
France summoned Iran's envoy for the second time in a week to condemn what it called the "brutal repression" of protests.
The Czech Republic, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden also summoned Iranian envoys in their capitals.
Iranian authorities have in turn accused Western governments, particularly Britain and the United States, of meddling.
US President Barack Obama has been restrained in commenting on the Iran crisis and the White House was again cautious yesterday.
"I think the world is watching. I think they have accomplished something. They've drawn attention to what's going on in Iran," spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
"I absolutely think we've seen the beginnings of change in Iran."
But asked whether Obama would endorse an opposition-led general strike, he said: "We're not going to get involved in endorsing or not endorsing specific actions inside Iran."
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