While the US President Barack Obama says he is “deeply troubled” by violence in Iran following last week’s disputed presidential elections, he studiously avoided making any comments on the vote fraud issue.
Obama called on Iran’s leaders to respect free speech and the democratic process, and said he would continue pursuing tough dialogue with Iran. His comments came after hundreds of thousands defied a government ban and attended an opposition rally in Tehran.
“I think that the democratic process, free speech, the ability for folks to peacefully dissent, all those are universal values and need to be respected.”