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Obama expresses growing concern about Iran

President Barack Obama voiced growing concern about Iran in an interview this morning with CBS News.   "I’m very concerned based on some of the tenor and tone of the statements that have been made, that the government of Iran recognize that the world is watching," Obama told CBS New’s Harry Smith. "And how they approach ...

President Barack Obama voiced growing concern about Iran in an interview this morning with CBS News.  

President Barack Obama voiced growing concern about Iran in an interview this morning with CBS News.  

"I’m very concerned based on some of the tenor and tone of the statements that have been made, that the government of Iran recognize that the world is watching," Obama told CBS New’s Harry Smith. "And how they approach and deal with people who are, through peaceful means, trying to be heard will, I think, send a pretty clear signal to the international community about what Iran is and — and is not."

Obama’s comments came in the wake of a warning by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at Friday prayer services that opposition leaders would be responsible for "bloodshed and chaos" if protests of Iran’s disputed vote count continued.

A Washington-based Iranian policy expert who asked for anonymity said Obama should condemn the violence. But he said people are missing the point. "The real critics of Obama are not criticizing him for not being tough on violence; they are upset that he isn’t taking sides."

The full Iran portion of the Obama interview is scheduled to air on tonight’s CBS Evening News.

Laura Rozen writes The Cable daily at ForeignPolicy.com.

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