Region | Iran
US withdraws July 4 invitations to Iranian diplomats
The United States on Wednesday withdrew invitations to Iranian diplomats to attend US Independence Day celebrations on July 4, a symbolic step to protest the Iranian government's crackdown on demonstrators.
- Agencies
- Published: 07:36 June 25, 2009
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Washington: The United States on Wednesday withdrew invitations to Iranian diplomats to attend US Independence Day celebrations on July 4, a symbolic step to protest the Iranian government's crackdown on demonstrators.
The State Department, breaking with long-standing practice, had invited Iranian diplomats to attend parties at US embassies around the world.
Washington's outreach to its old foe was part of President Barack Obama's efforts to coax Iran into negotiations over its disputed nuclear program.
The decision to rescind the invitations was also symbolic since no Iranian diplomats had actually responded to them.
"Not surprisingly, based on what we see going on in Tehran, nobody's RSVP'd," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.
"Given the events of the past many days, those invitations will no longer be extended."
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Iranian police and militia have largely succeeded in regaining control of the streets after the biggest anti-government protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, touched off by the disputed June 12 presidential election. Up to 20 people have been reported killed in the protests.
The Obama administration has struggled to strike the right note in its response to the crackdown, not wanting to be seen as meddling in Iran's internal affairs and giving its government an excuse to say the protesters are US-backed.
In his strongest response yet to the post-election violence, Obama said on Tuesday he was "appalled and outraged".
The tougher language appeared to dampen prospects for any immediate dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
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