Western nations are denying Iranian government allegations that they are encouraging Iran's post-election violence.
The
Czech presidency of the European Union on Monday invited EU member
states to summon Iranian envoys to protest the violent response of
government forces to anti-government demonstrators.
In Syria,
Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem warned the West against intervention
in Iran's internal affairs, saying it could harm talks between Iran and
the United States.
The White House says President Barack Obama
has responded correctly to the violence in Iran. White House spokesman
Robert Gibbs says many in Iran would love for the U.S. to dominate the
story, but Mr. Obama realizes that is not helpful.
Republican
U.S. lawmakers have criticized President Obama, a Democrat, for not
taking a stronger public stand on the events in Iran.
Deputy
U.S. Secretary of State James Steinberg says he does not agree with the
charge that Mr. Obama has been too cautious on his reaction to the
Iranian violence. He says some influential voices in Congress from
both parties "have recognized, as the president has said, that this
issue is about the Iranians and is for the Iranians to decide."
Gibbs
also says Mr. Obama has been "moved" by the television images of people
protesting in Iran, particularly those of women who have stood up for
their rights to speak out and be heard.
Also Monday, Iranian
media said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani called for a review of
Iran's ties with Britain in a speech to parliament. Iran expelled the
British Broadcasting Corporation's permanent correspondent in Tehran
after accusing the BBC and the Voice of America of "engineering the
ongoing post-election riots."
VOA Director Dan Austin has rejected Iran's accusations.
Britain,
the target of some of the worst criticism from Iran, said it is
evacuating family members of its diplomatic staff stationed in Iran,
while leaving staff members themselves in place.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
