Obama On Iran: "The World Is Watching"

President Calls On Tehran To Halt "Violent and Unjust Actions" Against Its Own People

(CBS)  Responding to reports of continued violence in Tehran, following a warning by Iran's Supreme Leader that further election protests may lead to "bloodshed and chaos," President Barack Obama said today, "The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching.

With the tensions rising in Iran, Mr. Obama is monitoring the situation with senior advisors, but he continues to maintain his reserve on the topic. Rather than directly criticizing the Iranian government's actions, he expressed more lofty thoughts.

In a statement released this afternoon by the White House, the president said, "We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights.

"As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect the dignity of its own people and govern through consent, not coercion.

"Martin Luther King once said, 'The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.' I believe that. The international community believes that. And right now, we are bearing witness to the Iranian peoples' belief in that truth, and we will continue to bear witness."

As the election protests have played out this past week, the president has received criticism by some for evincing a tone that was judged too soft.

For example, on Fox News Senator John McCain said, "People are being killed and beaten in the streets of Tehran and all over Iran, and we should stand up for them … the way we stood up for the Polish workers in Gdansk, the way we stood up for the people of then Czechoslovakia in the Prague Spring, and we have stood up for freedom in every part of the world. We're not doing that."

In a nutshell, Mr. Obama doesn't want to provide President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the ammunition needed to make the United States a bad actor in his play by accusing Washington of interfering with Iran's internal political process.

In an interview Friday with CBS News' Harry Smith, Mr. Obama said, "The last thing that I want to do is to have the United States be a foil for those forces inside Iran who would love nothing better than to make this an argument about the United States. That's what they do. That's what we've already seen. We shouldn't be playing into that. There should be no distractions from the fact that the Iranian people are seeking to let their voices be heard.

"Now, what we can do is bear witness and say to the world that the, you know, incredible demonstrations that we've seen is a testimony to, I think, what Dr. King called the arc of the moral universe. It's long but it bends towards justice."

Time Magazine's Joe Klein, who was recently in Tehran, believes that Mr. Obama is taking the right approach:

"If Barack Obama were sounding like John McCain, the tanks would have been in the streets days ago, with hundreds, perhaps thousands of people killed, and a ready excuse that would have great credibility with the Iranian people: the U.S. was at it again, trying to foment a revolution to overthrow the duly elected government of Iran."

© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Share:

• Share
• Yahoo! Buzz
• Twitter
• Mixx

More From World

• Key Anti-Taliban Figure Killed in Pakistan
• Karzai to Taliban: Lay Down Your Weapons
• Iran Censured at U.N. Nuclear Meeting
• Mumbai Marks Year Anniversary of Attack
• Catholic Church in Dublin Covered Up Abuse
• Thanksgiving in Afghanistan "Another Day"
• Murder Rap for Philippine Massacre Suspect

• 

  VideoSearch for Missing American Abroad

• 

  VideoMissing American in Germany

Add a Comment

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next

See all 99 Comments

by bertiebon22 June 22, 2009 1:13 AM EDT

Of course this is another stunt played by the zionists

Reply to this comment

by 8razman June 21, 2009 5:47 PM EDT

We weren't established as a Christian nation. Otherwise, the Declaration of Independece would say "Christian God" and not "Nature's God".

I said this nation was "founded" on Christian principles. I did not say we were founded AS a Christian Nation. Nature's God? Who created nature? You're merely playing with words.

Reply to this comment

by 8razman June 21, 2009 3:17 PM EDT

Well dazzle us here. Tell us all about the SUCCESS of the Extreme Right and Bush... It would seem to me, given that we had the WORST Attack against this nation in HISTORY on their watch and the fact that those who attacked us are in a safe haven, Bush Created and we are near bankrupt from fighting in ANOTHER Country that had NOTHING to do with any attack on us... that SHOULD be enough failure for you and those like you... FOR a LIFETIME!! Let's let the President do his Job and AFTER its over you can then criticize! Be an AMERICAN for a change, it won't hurt.

Thanks for telling me when I MAY critize. Obviously, you know all the inside details of our governments involvement with just about everything. You are the gospel oh mighty one.

MOM, junior is on the computer again!

Reply to this comment

by Bayou123 June 21, 2009 12:02 PM EDT

Obama called for the Iranian Government to stop the violence against it's own people. That is a joke coming from Obama. The American government destroys American's lives that use marijuana everyday. Like the saying, "do as I say, not as I do".

Reply to this comment

by molsondog June 21, 2009 10:47 AM EDT

Ya know. We have become a nation of people that talk a lot and do nothing. We've come to believe that posting in forums, making comments on Twitter, saying things on YouTube, and just mouthing off at the office are actions that will affect change. Wrong. We can all talk our heads off, make thousands of postings and NOTHING will change. We need to get face to face with the people that actually make things happen. Your co-workers at the office can't affect a vote in congress no matter how much you mouth off. Each of us needs to be front and center with our representatives, senators and congressmen. Write to them, call them, meet with them. Form a protest and walk to thier offices. THEY make things happen and we need to gewt our demands and desires in their faces and on their minds. We've become a country of talkers and are wrongly assuming our misdirected ******** is of value.

Find out what is going on: http://thomas.loc.gov/
This site will list all the current bills and motions that affect us.

Learn about the Legislative Process
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.toc.html

A complete list and easy way to contact your representaives
http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm
(You can use this even if you are a liberal .... just USE IT)

Now .... stop wating energy by blindly ******** and go and make things happen!

Reply to this comment

by tbbaot June 21, 2009 10:24 AM EDT

"The world is watching"...but doing nothing.

Reply to this comment

by I_LOVE_Texas June 21, 2009 9:46 AM EDT

Obama is falling fast: "The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 32% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-four percent (34%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -2. That?s the President?s lowest rating to date and the first time the Presidential Approval Index has fallen below zero for Obama"

Reply to this comment

by demongirl60 June 21, 2009 8:56 AM EDT

I think jis3769 said it best.... the people of Iran, especially the YOUNGER people, are sick and tired of a bunch of grey-bearded old BILLYGOATS telling them what they can and can't do. The winds of freedom are starting to blow in Iran and THAT'S what all these "religious leaders" and "guardian counsel" A-Holes are afraid of. THEY'RE AFRAID OF LOSING POWER AND CONTROL. Yes? No?

Reply to this comment

by krotec54 June 21, 2009 9:13 AM EDT

You are so right. Yes, the religious leaders are afraid of losing control; this would start the beginning of the end of Islam.

by krotec54 June 21, 2009 8:47 AM EDT

Yes, as the World watches, here comes Super 0bama to save the Planet.

Reply to this comment

by airboatboy June 21, 2009 6:46 AM EDT

Surely Obama can come up with "weapons of mass destruction" or "axis of evil" or something! Come on, the right wingers are getting a little disappointed!

Reply to this comment

by oftencensord June 21, 2009 6:00 AM EDT

The news reporting I have read and heard regarding the Iranian elections all smell of propaganda and USA politics. The spread of a rumored stolen election, the call for demonstrations in the streets for the TV cameras, the Iranian government's warning against civil violence is turned into a threat and a reason for violence, Obama spins himself as the world's watchman, the Republicans are quoting Reagan and calling Obama a weenie.

My head is spinning. It is probably good the Iranians have their news media censored and most are spared this assault the news authorities have waged on them. The freedom to sell bad news comes with no guarantee on it being truthful, and the average Joe pays the price with his life because he doesn't question the authority of news reporting. The march to war is always led by propagandists first.

Reply to this comment

by summarex June 21, 2009 2:52 AM EDT

Yeah
The world is watching Tehran. But Americans are watching Obama. They are expecting him to ignore this latest media inspired regime change project and worry imstead about fixing up this country.

Let's remember that despite their political disputes, ordinary and poor Iraninians are not facing foreclosure, declining government services including education and a pay or die health care system. One way or another, things for Iranians seem to be getting better. Their quality of life is improving abnd they even have the money to pursue a nuclear energy option. Yes, they are moving up in the world. On the other hand things seem to be getting worse every day for Americans.

President Obama, please get your priorities straight. This country can't afford another 4 year long mistake.

Reply to this comment

by YrSoWrong June 21, 2009 2:45 AM EDT

Perhaps the CBS Coward Squad is home tonight because women find them repulsive.

Reply to this comment

by ftsumner1 June 21, 2009 1:56 AM EDT

I am discouraged at times - so many of my countrymen are so stupid, and brainwashed. Obama was elected by a decent margin, considering how divided we are, and still enjoys wide support. He is trying to do something other than lead us to ruin like the Bush administration. We are going broke trying to subdue Iraq and Afghanistan, and now moron rightwingers want us to get involved in Iran's internal problems.

Reply to this comment

by wdh3007 June 21, 2009 1:17 AM EDT

Those that think BO is right on the money need to move to Iran because if this president is not stopped that's what we could become later on. This naked neo marxist is destroying america in everything he says or does and is complete total failure to the outside world. He is someone who obviously doesn't understand what the word "NO" means and lacks the will to act on certain global situations making him appear weak. Just one more reason the democratic socialist party knows their done in 2010 that's why Nancy & Harry are staying silent and out of the picture.

Reply to this comment

by jls3769 June 21, 2009 1:16 AM EDT

It is not only the Iranian government that has to be removed.

The people had enough of the clerics. Let them choose their
future. Ali Khamenei has not right make their choices.

The people have the last word.

Reply to this comment

by hungry1968-15 June 21, 2009 12:52 AM EDT

For example, on Fox News Senator John McCain said, "People are being killed and beaten in the streets of Tehran and all over Iran, and we should stand up for them ? the way we stood up for the Polish workers in Gdansk, the way we stood up for the people of then Czechoslovakia in the Prague Spring, and we have stood up for freedom in every part of the world. We're not doing that."






Involving ourselves in other nation's internal affairs, is one of the reasons that we were attacked on 9/11.

Our constant and consistent meddling in other countries INTERNAL affairs, doesn't do anything for the "good guys" - it never has, and it never will.

McCain needs to grow up, buy a history book, and pay attention for a change, instead of living his life as a warmonger.

Reply to this comment

by hungry1968-15 June 21, 2009 12:48 AM EDT

by ConstantineXI June 20, 2009 8:21 PM PDT
What is so hard about criticizing a rigged election, beatings of protesters, and shut downs of media?
There is little risk in doing this. Moreover, it's the right thing to do.
Iranians aren't going to hate the U.S. for strongly criticizing a rigged election, beatings of Iranians, and shut downs of media. Far more likely that they are going to respect the U.S. for criticizing such actions. The whole Obama strategy here is ridiculous.






Your inability to see the strategy -- and it's PROVEN effectiveness in the Grand Ayatollah's speech -- is what is truly ridiculous.

Reply to this comment

by daffy64 June 20, 2009 11:54 PM EDT

Thank God John "Bomb bomb bomb Iran...har har..." McaCin isn't in power now. All that would do is whip up support for the current regime.

Nice to have an intelligent President, for a change.

Reply to this comment

by YrSoWrong June 21, 2009 8:58 AM EDT

Some need not an opposition party but an opposable thumb. Here's a finger.

by markwlotko June 20, 2009 11:02 PM EDT

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Reply to this comment

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next

See all 99 Comments

Add a comment

Comment SUBMIT

Click here to add another comment.

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

Comment reply

Submit Cancel

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

Report offensive content:

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CBSNews.com Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.

Select type of offense:

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements, commercial links, or repetitive posts

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Off-topic: Commentary unrelated to the storyline

Comments (optional):

Report Cancel

E-mail this comment to a friend.

E-mail this to: (Separate multiple e-mail addresses with commas. Limited to 10 addresses.)

Your e-mail address:

Send me a copy of this message

Note: Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipients's address will be used for any other purpose.

Add your own personal message: (Optional)

Hi, I found this user's comment on CBSNews.com and thought you might be interested in reading it. Send e-mail Cancel

[bertiebon22]

Of course this is another stunt played by the zionists

[8razman]

We weren't established as a Christian nation. Otherwise, the Declaration of Independece would say "Christian God" and not "Nature's God".

I said this nation was "founded" on Christian principles. I did not say we were founded AS a Christian Nation. Nature's God? Who created nature? You're merely playing with words.

[8razman]

Well dazzle us here. Tell us all about the SUCCESS of the Extreme Right and Bush... It would seem to me, given that we had the WORST Attack against this nation in HISTORY on their watch and the fact that those who attacked us are in a safe haven, Bush Created and we are near bankrupt from fighting in ANOTHER Country that had NOTHING to do with any attack on us... that SHOULD be enough failure for you and those like you... FOR a LIFETIME!! Let's let the President do his Job and AFTER its over you can then criticize! Be an AMERICAN for a change, it won't hurt.

Thanks for telling me when I MAY critize. Obviously, you know all the inside details of our governments involvement with just about everything. You are the gospel oh mighty one.

MOM, junior is on the computer again!

[Bayou123]

Obama called for the Iranian Government to stop the violence against it's own people. That is a joke coming from Obama. The American government destroys American's lives that use marijuana everyday. Like the saying, "do as I say, not as I do".

[molsondog]

Ya know. We have become a nation of people that talk a lot and do nothing. We've come to believe that posting in forums, making comments on Twitter, saying things on YouTube, and just mouthing off at the office are actions that will affect change. Wrong. We can all talk our heads off, make thousands of postings and NOTHING will change. We need to get face to face with the people that actually make things happen. Your co-workers at the office can't affect a vote in congress no matter how much you mouth off. Each of us needs to be front and center with our representatives, senators and congressmen. Write to them, call them, meet with them. Form a protest and walk to thier offices. THEY make things happen and we need to gewt our demands and desires in their faces and on their minds. We've become a country of talkers and are wrongly assuming our misdirected ******** is of value.

Find out what is going on: http://thomas.loc.gov/
This site will list all the current bills and motions that affect us.

Learn about the Legislative Process
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.toc.html

A complete list and easy way to contact your representaives
http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm
(You can use this even if you are a liberal .... just USE IT)

Now .... stop wating energy by blindly ******** and go and make things happen!

[tbbaot]

"The world is watching"...but doing nothing.

[I_LOVE_Texas]

Obama is falling fast: "The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 32% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-four percent (34%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -2. That?s the President?s lowest rating to date and the first time the Presidential Approval Index has fallen below zero for Obama"

[demongirl60]

I think jis3769 said it best.... the people of Iran, especially the YOUNGER people, are sick and tired of a bunch of grey-bearded old BILLYGOATS telling them what they can and can't do. The winds of freedom are starting to blow in Iran and THAT'S what all these "religious leaders" and "guardian counsel" A-Holes are afraid of. THEY'RE AFRAID OF LOSING POWER AND CONTROL. Yes? No?

[krotec54]

You are so right. Yes, the religious leaders are afraid of losing control; this would start the beginning of the end of Islam.

[krotec54]

Yes, as the World watches, here comes Super 0bama to save the Planet.

[airboatboy]

Surely Obama can come up with "weapons of mass destruction" or "axis of evil" or something! Come on, the right wingers are getting a little disappointed!

[oftencensord]

The news reporting I have read and heard regarding the Iranian elections all smell of propaganda and USA politics. The spread of a rumored stolen election, the call for demonstrations in the streets for the TV cameras, the Iranian government's warning against civil violence is turned into a threat and a reason for violence, Obama spins himself as the world's watchman, the Republicans are quoting Reagan and calling Obama a weenie.

My head is spinning. It is probably good the Iranians have their news media censored and most are spared this assault the news authorities have waged on them. The freedom to sell bad news comes with no guarantee on it being truthful, and the average Joe pays the price with his life because he doesn't question the authority of news reporting. The march to war is always led by propagandists first.

[summarex]

Yeah
The world is watching Tehran. But Americans are watching Obama. They are expecting him to ignore this latest media inspired regime change project and worry imstead about fixing up this country.

Let's remember that despite their political disputes, ordinary and poor Iraninians are not facing foreclosure, declining government services including education and a pay or die health care system. One way or another, things for Iranians seem to be getting better. Their quality of life is improving abnd they even have the money to pursue a nuclear energy option. Yes, they are moving up in the world. On the other hand things seem to be getting worse every day for Americans.

President Obama, please get your priorities straight. This country can't afford another 4 year long mistake.

[YrSoWrong]

Perhaps the CBS Coward Squad is home tonight because women find them repulsive.

[ftsumner1]

I am discouraged at times - so many of my countrymen are so stupid, and brainwashed. Obama was elected by a decent margin, considering how divided we are, and still enjoys wide support. He is trying to do something other than lead us to ruin like the Bush administration. We are going broke trying to subdue Iraq and Afghanistan, and now moron rightwingers want us to get involved in Iran's internal problems.

[wdh3007]

Those that think BO is right on the money need to move to Iran because if this president is not stopped that's what we could become later on. This naked neo marxist is destroying america in everything he says or does and is complete total failure to the outside world. He is someone who obviously doesn't understand what the word "NO" means and lacks the will to act on certain global situations making him appear weak. Just one more reason the democratic socialist party knows their done in 2010 that's why Nancy & Harry are staying silent and out of the picture.

[jls3769]

It is not only the Iranian government that has to be removed.

The people had enough of the clerics. Let them choose their
future. Ali Khamenei has not right make their choices.

The people have the last word.

[hungry1968-15]

For example, on Fox News Senator John McCain said, "People are being killed and beaten in the streets of Tehran and all over Iran, and we should stand up for them ? the way we stood up for the Polish workers in Gdansk, the way we stood up for the people of then Czechoslovakia in the Prague Spring, and we have stood up for freedom in every part of the world. We're not doing that."






Involving ourselves in other nation's internal affairs, is one of the reasons that we were attacked on 9/11.

Our constant and consistent meddling in other countries INTERNAL affairs, doesn't do anything for the "good guys" - it never has, and it never will.

McCain needs to grow up, buy a history book, and pay attention for a change, instead of living his life as a warmonger.

[hungry1968-15]

by ConstantineXI June 20, 2009 8:21 PM PDT
What is so hard about criticizing a rigged election, beatings of protesters, and shut downs of media?
There is little risk in doing this. Moreover, it's the right thing to do.
Iranians aren't going to hate the U.S. for strongly criticizing a rigged election, beatings of Iranians, and shut downs of media. Far more likely that they are going to respect the U.S. for criticizing such actions. The whole Obama strategy here is ridiculous.






Your inability to see the strategy -- and it's PROVEN effectiveness in the Grand Ayatollah's speech -- is what is truly ridiculous.

[daffy64]

Thank God John "Bomb bomb bomb Iran...har har..." McaCin isn't in power now. All that would do is whip up support for the current regime.

Nice to have an intelligent President, for a change.

[YrSoWrong]

Some need not an opposition party but an opposable thumb. Here's a finger.

[markwlotko]

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.