Obama denounces Iran crackdown on protesters

Under pressure to speak out more forcefully, President Obama condemned the Iranian government's violent suppression of dissent yesterday and declared the world "appalled and outraged" by its crackdown on protesters.

Despite employing his toughest language yet to criticize Iranian authorities, Obama refused to threaten any consequences and stopped short of freezing a major foreign policy goal: wooing Iran into diplomatic contacts over its nuclear program, its support of Islamic militant organizations and other contentious issues.

Obama's comments drew a clear distinction between the actions of police and militiamen on the streets of Tehran and other cities and the conduct of Iran's June 12 election -- even though protesters argue that the same hard-line faction is responsible for stealing the election and launching the crackdown.

U.S. officials are well aware that because of decades of animosity between the two nations, coming out strongly in favor of one side could harm those they are trying to help.

But Obama spoke bluntly Tuesday about free speech and human rights, denouncing the beatings and jailings of protesters. He singled out as "heartbreaking" the shooting of a young Iranian woman that was captured on a cellphone camera and beamed around the world via the Internet.

(Via LAT)