US “Deeply Troubled” by Iranian Election Violence
EmailABC News' Kirit Radia reports: The US State Department says it is "deeply troubled" by reports of violence and arrests of political opposition following last Friday's presidential elections in Iran. Over the weekend and again today, reformist challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi rallied supporters in the streets, alleging voter fraud was to blame for his loss to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the hardline incumbent president of Iran. Reports say gunfire from pro-government militia killed at least one protestor today, though most riot police watched the largely peaceful demonstrations quietly. The Associated Press reports that a group of demonstrators lit a pro-government militia compound on fire. They were fired on from the roof as they tried to storm the building. "We are deeply troubled by the reports of violence, arrests and possible voting irregularities" in the wake of last week's elections in Iran," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters today, adding that "we do have doubts about the election results." On Saturday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "We obviously hope that the outcome reflects the genuine will and desire of the Iranian people." "As the president indicated last week, the enthusiasm and robust debate these elections engendered captured the attention of the world. And the essential right of people, to express themselves peacefully, needs to be respected. The international community remains committed to seeing Iran living up to its international responsibilities, and we will continue to use all avenues to try to convince Iran to meet its international obligations," Kelly added today. Kelly said the US, which has no diplomatic presence in Iran, is unable to judge whether the election was credible or not. "We are in a position of still assessing what went on. And it's difficult to assess, because there weren't any international monitors at the elections," he said. Asked if the US was encouraged by statements that Iran's governing body would conduct an investigation into allegations of voter fraud, Kelly replied only: "Iran needs to take these allegations of misconduct or of election irregularities seriously." The Obama administration has said it wants to engage in dialogue with Tehran. Asked if the US was now recalibrating those efforts, Kelly said the US would continue to pursue multilateral avenues to rid Iran of its nuclear capability. "We have expressed our willingness to sit down with them," Kelly said. "We'll look at all kinds of different avenues to get Iran to live up to its international obligations."
Obama: 'Now Is the Time For Common Sense Action' 
Romney Takes Aim at Conservatives
“Deeply troubled”…that’s our official response. obama is voting “present” yet again.
Posted by: beedubya | June 15, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
“Deeply troubled”…that’s our official response. obama is voting “present” yet again.
Posted by: beedubya | June 15, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
“”Deeply troubled”…that’s our official response. obama is voting “present” yet again.”
And what is the right wing solution?
Invasion?
Perhaps prominent support of the opposition therefore undermining it domestically by allowing it to be associated it with the US?
Posted by: Ryan C | June 15, 2009, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
Yep, this is troubling. I wish we would do the same thing here to the sludge in DC. We would probably take some hits as well.
Posted by: Huh | June 15, 2009, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm
I think ‘rid Iran of its nuclear capability’ is not as accurate as what Vice President Biden said about making sure Iran does not produce and harbor nuclear missiles.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | June 15, 2009, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm
Since US voted for a change (Good or Bad…in our case bad.) What is Obama prepared to do to support the change in Iran.
To the Iranian People: The commom people of the US stand united with you for the changes you seek. Again..good or bad, the change and the freedom to change is what we all yearn for so stand fast with your cause. The US has lost many good people fighting for the very thing you seek. Be proud.
Posted by: Time for a change | June 15, 2009, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
Time for Change- Your war mongering is becoming all too transparent for myself, and I’m sure for many other common Americans as well. Obviously, people like you are well entrenched in a habit of mobilising public opinion to stir conflict, regardless of the impact it has (or maybe to instigate the contrary) on global security and the advancement of freedom, liberty and justice in Iran, or anywhere else on the globe where we have no peaceful jurisdiction.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | June 15, 2009, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
What does it matter – all of the candidates answer to the same Ayatollah.. maybe they should be troubled by:
- Israeli intervention
- Nuclear weapons
- Short range delivery systems
I wouldn’t be troubled by the election of a figure head.. the runner up might wear a similar leisure suit…
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 15, 2009, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
The Obama administration is “deeply troubled” about Iran? Really?
Well, I can tell you I am deeply troubled that some of us keep reelecting people like Durbin, Pelosi, Reid, Rangel, Murtha, Waxman, Frank, Dodd…
Incumbents in the United States do to various reasons have unfair advantage once in office. Representatives have between a 90 and 98% success rate for reelection. Senators hover around or just under 90%.
The number of career politicians who have held office over 30 years is astounding. We need term limits as Congressional stagnation has brought us to the point where the advantages of officeholding are too great once in office.
This is the place where someone says remove the plank from your own eye… right?
In the same vein, according to our President, oil rich Iran needs nuclear energy but we need windmills. Troubling indeed…
Posted by: WhereWasThePress? | June 15, 2009, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
“We need term limits as Congressional stagnation has brought us to the point where the advantages of officeholding are too great once in office.”
In 1994, the GOP ran on term limits as essential to a vibrant democracy only to widely abandon that position in droves once in office.
The American people will not fall for that empty campaign promise again.
Posted by: Ryan C | June 15, 2009, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Right now am deeply troubled over this new health care idea by this administration and would love to understand it, I have no time to study what is happening in Iran I have a hard enough time trying to make two ends meets.
Posted by: SJ | June 15, 2009, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
Well…I’m glad they didn’t say it was ‘sobering’ again.. If they do later, remember, I said it first hear at the punch…
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 15, 2009, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
I’ll bet that the PAC groups insist upon keeping the same people in their seats.. it’s a great cost savings to them (PACs)-(not that ‘once they are bought they ar paid for’), but it cuts down on training costs associated with new employees….
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 15, 2009, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm
I’m a little upset right now over the foreign influence on our MSM, Israeli or Arab. I’ve been following headlines on this election for the last week and never once saw anything about the tragedy in Mexico until just now. Same thing happened with the drug wars. It’s obvious the story-makers are not in touch with this continent.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | June 15, 2009, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
Deeply troubled, but no demands that they stop.
Posted by: Zaggs | June 15, 2009, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
Right now am deeply troubled over this new health care idea by this administration and would love to understand it,
Posted by: SJ
if it’s so important to you to understand it, you should spend your time reading about it pro/cons and the details all over the net instead of posting here
Posted by: Terse | June 15, 2009, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
To the Iranian People: The commom people of the US stand united with you for the changes you seek.
Posted by: Time for a change
and suppose that after the revolution the new Iran is just as anti-USA as the old…… still gonna love em’ then kimosabe
Posted by: Terse | June 15, 2009, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm
I am not a supporter of President Obama nor of his policies. I did not vote for him, nor did I vote for Senator McCain; however, in regard to Iran and North Korea, short of offensive bombing both countries, there is not any realistic options left for Obama..Negotiation is most likely to fail as both countries are too busy marking their territory as well as appeasing their military structures. As for myself, in reference to this issue, I will not criticize my President at this time..
Posted by: Parallax View | June 15, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
In the same vein, according to our President, oil rich Iran needs nuclear energy but we need windmills. Troubling indeed…
Posted by: WhereWasThePress?
sure, lets insure that we’re blackmailed by $250.00 a barrel oil, or someone who wants to embargo the US…..yeah… no need for any smart people to come up with ways not to let that happen, should we launch now or later?
Posted by: Terse | June 15, 2009, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
Negotiation is most likely to fail as both countries are too busy marking their territory as well as appeasing their military structures
Posted by: Parallax View
as you are no doubt well aware, negotiations are an ongoing and time consuming process, they should be pursued free of the day to day public pronouncements of those involved…
Posted by: Terse | June 15, 2009, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
Weak…as usual…Who expects anything better from this guy and his administration?
Posted by: tjp612 | June 15, 2009, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
40 toddlers died. 3 are in a California hospital that specializes in pediatric burn treatment with upwards of 60% burns. By all counts it is looking like a tragic electrical accident, so all we can do is keep the little ones and the families in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | June 15, 2009, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
DEEPLY TROUBLE THAT’S FER SURE
BUT THAT’S NOT THE ANSWER OR CURE
IRAN IS RUN BY FANATICAL LOONIES
THEIR MENTAL STATE IN THE BOONIES
THEIR NUKE AGENDA DOTH ANNOY
WHO DO THEY PLAN TO DESTROY
MILLIONS PROTEST PHONY ELECTION
AHMADINEJAD RECEIVES REJECTION
AMERICA NEEDS TO DRAW THE LINE
PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE THAT’LL DO FINE.
fantazamaraz: Writer-Director,
Critic-Commentator,
Former top British
DJ US.
Posted by: fantazamaraz | June 15, 2009, 11:37 pm 11:37 pm
Posted by: fantazamaraz
OK I’ll say it:
DIS GUYS NO POE-IT
BUSTED, “CAUSE HE DON’T KNOW IT
HIS REASON AIN’T IN SEASON
HE JUST BE TEASIN’
NO REAL TIME IN HIS RHYMES
HE GAGS GOP LINES
NEVER TO GET TO THE JAZZ
THIS WAR MONGER LAMER, FANTAZAAMARAZ
Posted by: TERSE | June 16, 2009, 12:01 am 12:01 am
To “time for change” I disagree…it has been good for us to have President Obama. Why do you think this is happening? People liked his speech and want “change.” They want to be friends with America but know that as long as he is in power, this will not happen. We cannot get involved in this election. It has to happen by the people and it will. I believe and probably Obama does also that it was a fixed election but in the future things will happen if the people make it happen. Sorry you are unhappy but I think President Obama is trying to fix an economy which has been neglected for the last 8 years. He did not cause this and he is doing his best with a horrific situation. If the republicans had all these ideas they preach now, why didn’t they use them when they were in charge?
Posted by: talmag | June 16, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am