United States talks tough on Iran
Updated on 23 June 2009
As Britain expels two Iranian diplomats, US President Barack Obama condemns violence against demonstrators in Iran - but he says the path to improve ties is still open.
President Barack Obama said he has been "appalled and outraged" by the threats, beatings and imprisonments against demonstrators in Iran.
"I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost," Obama said at a news conference.
He called accusations that U.S. was instigating massive protests "patently false and absurd."
President Obama also stated that Tehran still had a path to improve ties with the international community.
"It is up to them to make a decision as to whether they choose that path," he added.
In Britain, Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed that Britain is expelling two Iranian diplomats after Iran forced two British diplomats to leave the country.
"Iran yesterday took the unjustified step of expelling two British diplomats over allegations which are absolutely without foundation," Gordon Brown told parliament.
"In response to that action, we informed the Iranian ambassador today that we would expel two Iranian diplomats from their embassy in London.
"I am disappointed that Iran has placed us in this position but we will continue to seek good relations with Iran and to call for the regime to respect the human rights and democratic freedoms of the Iranian people."
Conservative leader David Cameron said the expulsion of the British diplomats was "clearly not acceptable" and backed the retaliatory measure.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the United States and Britain on Sunday to stop interfering in Iran's internal affairs after the disputed 12 June presidential election, which has led to protests in which at least 17 people have been killed.
Mr Brown was reporting to MPs on the outcome of last week's European summit in Brussels. He said the summit stressed that the outcome of the Iranian elections should reflect the aspirations and choices of the people there.
"The onus is on Iran to show the Iranian people that recent elections have been credible and that the repression and curtailment of democratic rights that we've seen in the last few days will cease."
He said Iran must meet its obligations as a member of the international community and urged it to respond to Britain's efforts to achieve a "genuine dialogue".
It is understood that the Iranians ordered the expulsion of the two officials for "activities inconsistent with their diplomatic status" - diplomatic language for spying. The Foreign Office described the Iranian allegations as "baseless".
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said the Iranians appeared to be trying to blame Britain for the current unrest, endangering embassy staff in the process. "We believe the Iranian decision to expel two members of staff from the British embassy is baseless," she said.
"We think the Government of Iran is seeking to blame the UK and other outsiders for what is an Iranian reaction to an Iranian issue.
"This has a potential impact on our staff safety and is unacceptable. We have taken the decision to reciprocate."
