AP Photo/Ron Edmonds
WASHINGTON, AP – President Barack Obama on Tuesday declared the United States and the entire world "appalled and outraged" by Iran's violent efforts to crush dissent and for the first time expressed significant doubt about the legitimacy of the national election at the root of the upheaval.
The president suggested that Iran would face consequences for brutally beating back protest, warning that the way the country responds in the days ahead will shape its relationship with other countries, including the United States. He would not specify what any punishment might be.
The president suggested that Iran would face consequences for brutally beating back protest, warning that the way the country responds in the days ahead will shape its relationship with other countries, including the United States. He would not specify what any punishment might be.
In Iran, the chaotic images of riot police beating and shooting protesters have seized the world's attention and heightened pressure on Obama by the day.
He has searched for the right balance — supporting peaceful protest, condemning violence but trying to avoid any perception of U.S. meddling. In a toughening of his rhetoric, Obama expressed outrage at the "threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days. "
"I strongly condemn these unjust actions," he said.
Obama said he could not speak to precisely what happened at polling places because there were no international observers in place. But he said concerns about the fairness of Iran's presidential voting should not be discounted, stating that there are "significant questions about the legitimacy of the election."
At least 17 people have been killed in protests since the election last week.
He has searched for the right balance — supporting peaceful protest, condemning violence but trying to avoid any perception of U.S. meddling. In a toughening of his rhetoric, Obama expressed outrage at the "threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days. "
"I strongly condemn these unjust actions," he said.
Obama said he could not speak to precisely what happened at polling places because there were no international observers in place. But he said concerns about the fairness of Iran's presidential voting should not be discounted, stating that there are "significant questions about the legitimacy of the election."
At least 17 people have been killed in protests since the election last week.
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