White House monitoring reports of violent crackdown in Iran

August 9th, 2009 White House: Iran confirms 3 US hikers in custodyWASHINGTON —The White House says Iran has confirmed it has three American hikers in custody. The Americans strayed into Iran while hiking in the mountains of Kurdish territory in neighboring Iraq.

August 4th, 2009 Gibbs: Ahmadinejad 'elected leader' of IranWASHINGTON — White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is "the elected leader" of the Islamic republic. Gibbs was asked Tuesday if the White House recognized Ahmadinejad as the country's legitimate president.

July 9th, 2009 L'AQUILA, Italy — The White House says it is counting on Brazil to help convince Iran that it must keep its nuclear activities peaceful. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters that President Barack Obama noted Brazil's close trading ties with Iran when he met Thursday with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

July 2nd, 2009 MOSCOW - Russia is opposed to sanctions against Iran over the recent crackdown on protest rallies following the disputed presidential election, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Russia, which has consistently supported Iran in international disputes, was one of the first countries to congratulate President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his re-election.

June 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama has said that prospects for a dialogue with Iran have been dampened by the brutal government crackdown on the opposition following the nation's disputed presidential election. Addressing a joint news conference at the White House Friday after a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Obama called for an end to the deadly attacks against Iranians.

June 26th, 2009 G8 countries urge end of violence in IranTRIESTE, Italy — Foreign ministers from Group of Eight countries meeting in Italy are calling for the immediate end of violence in Iran and are calling on Tehran authorities to seek a peaceful solution. The officials gathering in Trieste have worked to smooth over differences among themselves and address Iran's violent crackdown on protesters following disputed elections.

June 24th, 2009 White House defends use of blogger's questionWASHINGTON — The White House on Wednesday denied that it planted question about Iran from a left-leaning Web site at a presidential news conference this week. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said there was nothing inappropriate in how an administration official phoned the Huffington Posts' Nico Pitney and suggested President Barack Obama might take a question from him if he came prepared with one submitted to the reporter from someone inside Iran.

June 23rd, 2009 Obama: Iran must stop violence against protestersWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is expressing outrage at the violent crackdown by the Iranian government against protesters of the disputed presidential election. In a statement at the White House, Obama said the United States joins the international community in condemning what he called the threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days.

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 19th, 2009 House to condemn Tehran crackdownWASHINGTON — Responding to the increasingly volatile situation in Iran, the House is set to vote on a resolution condeming Tehran's crackdown on demonstrators and its interference with Internet and cell phone communications. The policy statement, initiated by minority Republicans but endorsed by Democrats, would be the strongest U.S.

June 17th, 2009 White House disputes meddling charge by IranWASHINGTON — The White House is shrugging off complaints from Iran that the United States has meddled in its affairs. Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Thursday that President Barack Obama has struck the right tone in commenting about Iran's presidential election dispute in Iran.

June 16th, 2009 Washington, June 16 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has said that he is "deeply troubled" by the latest violent developments taking place in Iran post-elections. Fox News quoted Obama as saying on Monday that Iranian voters have a right to feel their ballots mattered and urged the investigation into vote-rigging allegations to go forward without additional violence.

June 15th, 2009 US pointman on Iran to move to White HouseWASHINGTON — The Obama administration's pointman on Iran is moving from the State Department to the White House to better coordinate inter-agency policy on the Persian Gulf region, U.S. officials said Monday.

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 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.