U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday said the United States and the entire world "appalled and outraged" by Iran's violent efforts to crush protests. During a news conference at the White House that lasted slightly less than an hour, the American leader condemned the "threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days. "
"I strongly condemn these unjust actions," he noted.
According to Obama, his message has been consistent. Obama also rebuffed Republican critics who are calling him timid, saying: "Only I'm the president of the United States."
When asked if his strong language on Tuesday was influenced by pressure from such Republicans as Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Obama scoffed: "What do you think?"
"I have made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not interfering in Iran's affairs," Obama said. "But we must also bear witness to the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place."
Obama also spoke about the shooting of a young woman, Neda Agha Soltan, whose death was captured on video and circulated worldwide. "We have seen courageous women stand up to brutality and threats, and we have experienced the searing image of a woman bleeding to death on the streets," Obama said. "While this loss is raw and painful, we also know this: Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history."
Obama said he's watched the video. "It's heartbreaking," he said. "I think that anybody who sees it knows that there's something fundamentally unjust about it."
Asked if Iran will face consequences for how it has acted, Obama said the world is watching and Iran's handling of dissent "will help shape the tone not only for Iran's future but also its relationship to other countries."
Obama didn't rule out shifting U.S. strategy on Iran, which now calls for an opening of dialogue. "We are going to monitor and see how this plays itself out before we make any adjustments about how we proceed," the American president said.
Obama said the United States has provided a path for Iran to reach out to the international community and engage with global powers. "It is up to them to make a decision about whether they choose that path," Obama said. He added that the outlook "obviously is not encouraging in terms of the path that this regime may choose to take."
Obama dismissed the claim that he's been slow to respond to Iran's violent crackdown. "I don't think that's accurate," Obama said. "Track what I've been saying."
The president said he quickly responded after the election results and after violence broke out in the streets of Tehran, and that the United States has frequently condemned infringements on the freedom of assembly and speech
