Obama questions the legitimacy of the outcome of Iran’s disputed presidential election

September 11th, 2009 Iran's supreme leader warns opponents in sermonTEHRAN, Iran — Iran's supreme leader has warned opponents that any confrontation with the country's Islamic establishment would meet with a "harsh response." The remarks by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were a clear message to the Iranian opposition and reformists who have challenged his authority in the aftermath of the disputed June presidential election. Khamenei says authorities will strongly punish those who "take up the sword" to "confront the principles of the Islamic system." But he said peaceful differences and criticism by officials would be tolerated.

August 29th, 2009 Karzai increases lead to 46 pct in Afghan electionKABUL — President Hamid Karzai widened his lead in Afghanistan's presidential race as new vote tallies were released Saturday, inching closer to the 50 percent threshold of votes he needs to avoid a run-off. As Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission slowly releases partial results from the Aug.

July 20th, 2009 Iran's top leader reportedly warns politiciansTEHRAN, Iran — State radio says Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has told politicians to be careful in their stances on the country's postelection unrest, saying that disturbing security is "the biggest vice." Khamenei's comments appear aimed at warning opposition politicians against making any moves that would encourage further protests like the ones that shook the country following the disputed presidential election on June 12. Khamenei also says foreign enemies supported the unrest by broadcasting "procedures for rioting" through their media, according to Monday's state media report.

June 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Despite Iranian government snuffing out public protest over disputed presidential elections, the event has highlighted an extraordinary unity in the country that will reap out results soon, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, has said.

June 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday deplored the detention of Iranian staffers at the British embassy in Tehran and called for their release. "We find that the harassment of embassy staff is deplorable, and we will continue to support the United Kingdom in calling for their release," Clinton told reporters.

June 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The Obama Administration sent a letter to Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for an improvement in relations, prior to the June 12 disputed presidential elections, which were followed by massive people protests. Ayatollah Khamenei confirmed the letter toward the end of a lengthy sermon on Friday, in which he accused the United States of fomenting protests in his country in the aftermath of the disputed June 12 presidential election.

June 22nd, 2009 White House: Obama 'moved' by protests in IranWASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama has been "moved" by the television images of people in Iran taking to the street in protest. Riot police in Tehran continue to lead a crackdown on demonstrators following a disputed presidential election.

June 21st, 2009 Top intelligence Democrat: No interference in IranWASHINGTON — The head of the Senate Intelligence Committee says intelligence gathering in Iran is difficult and spotty. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., also says she doesn't think U.S.

June 18th, 2009 Former Democratic chief supports US stance on IranWASHINGTON — Former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean gave the Obama administration high marks Thursday for its arms-length response to the disputed presidential election in Iran. "For the United States to overtly interfere with this would be a big mistake," Dean said in a nationally broadcast interview.

June 16th, 2009 Obama: Iran supreme leader worried about electionWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he believes supreme leader Ayatollah ali Khamenei has deep concerns about the civil unrest that has followed the hotly contested presidential election there. Obama repeated Tuesday at a news conference his "deep concerns" about the disputed balloting.

June 16th, 2009 Lugar: American arms-length stance on Iran properWASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain charged Tuesday that President Barack Obama is not talking tough enough on the disputed presidential election in Iran.

June 16th, 2009 Obama: it's up to Iran to determine own leadersWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says it's up to Iran to determine its own leaders. But he also says he's troubled by the situation in Iran and that it would be wrong to stay silent.

June 15th, 2009 US called 'deeply troubled' by events in IranWASHINGTON — The State Department says the U.S. is deeply troubled by reports of violence and arrests in Iran following the disputed outcome of its presidential election.

June 14th, 2009 Biden has doubts about Iran's presidential voteWASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden said Sunday he had doubts about whether Iran's presidential election was free and fair, though the U.S. must accept "for the time being" Tehran's claim that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a resounding re-election.

June 13th, 2009 White House keeps close watch on Iran campaignWASHINGTON — The White House says it is monitoring Iran's presidential election results, including reports of voter fraud. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Saturday the Obama administration is keeping close watch on the election process, "including reports of irregularities." He said the White House was impressed "by the vigorous debate and enthusiasm that this election generated, particularly among young Iranians." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (ah-muh-DEE'-neh-zhahd) has claimed victory.