Obama to Iran Leaders: Stop 'Unjust' Actions

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 20, 2009 2:39 PM CDT
Obama to Iran Leaders: Stop 'Unjust' Actions
Supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossien Mousavi set fire to a barricade as they protest in Tehran on Saturday June 20, 2009.   (AP Photo)

President Barack Obama today challenged Iran's government to halt a "violent and unjust" crackdown on dissenters, using his bluntest language yet to condemn Tehran's postelection response. Obama has sought a measured reaction to avoid being drawn in as a meddler in Iranian affairs. His comments have grown more pointed as the clashes intensified, and his latest remarks took direct aim at Iranian leaders.

"We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people," Obama said in a written statement. "The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights." Obama met with advisers at the White House as developments in Iran grew more ominous today. (More Iran stories.)

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