Iran pledges 'crushing' response to US scepticism

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pledged a “crushing” response to continued US condemnation of his nation’s crackdown on postelection protest, saying today that President Barack Obama’s criticism revealed his insincerity about improving relations.

Mr Ahmadinejad – with his internal opponents virtually silenced – all but dared Mr Obama to keep calling for an end to repression of demonstrators who claim the hardline leader stole re-election through massive fraud.

“You should know that if you continue the response of the Iranian nation will be strong,” Ahmadinejad said in a speech to members of Iran’s judiciary, which is directly controlled by the ruling clerics.

“The response of the Iranian nation will be crushing. The response will cause remorse.”

Mr Ahmadinejad has no authority to direct major policy decisions on his own – a power that rests with the non-elected theocracy. But his comments often reflect the thinking of the ruling establishment.

The cleric-led regime now appears to have quashed a protest movement that brought hundreds of thousands to the streets of Tehran and other cities in the greatest challenge to its authority in 30 years.

There have been no significant demonstrations in days, and the most significant signs of dissent are the cries of “God is great!” echoing from the rooftops, a technique dating to the days of protest against the US-backed Shah before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Days of relatively restrained talk from both Washington and Tehran appear to be returning to a familiar pattern of condemnation and recrimination despite Obama’s stated desire to move away from mutual hostility.

Mr Obama acknowledged yesterday that Iran’s violent suppression of unrest would hinder progress, saying: “There is no doubt that any direct dialogue or diplomacy with Iran is going to be affected by the events of the last several weeks.”

He struck a conciliatory tone toward Iran after taking office, sending a video greeting for Persian New Year that used the government’s formal name – the Islamic Republic of Iran – in a signal that the goal of regime change had been set aside.

He even avoided strong language as Iran began suppressing street protests, saying he wanted to avoid becoming a foil for Iranian hard-liners who blame the US and other Western powers for instigating internal dissent.

But Mr Obama decried Iran’s crackdown more vigorously as amateur videos of beating and shootings began flooding the internet.

He said yesterday that violence perpetrated against protesters was “outrageous”, and dismissed a demand from Mr Ahmadinejad to repent for earlier criticism.

“I would suggest that Mr Ahmadinejad think carefully about the obligations he owes to his own people,” Obama added.

Iran also had been stopping short of its normally harsh language about the US, mostly blaming Britain, France and Germany as Mr Mousavi’s supporters demanded a new election.

Mr Ahmadinejad appeared self-assured and even invigorated today in the face of the previous day’s personal challenge from Mr Obama.

“We are surprised at Mr Obama,” Ahmadinejad said. “Didn’t he say that he was after change?

“They keep saying that they want to hold talks with Iran. Alright, we have expressed our readiness as well. But is this the correct way?

“They showed their hand to the people of Iran, before all people of the world. Their mask has been removed.”

Italy has granted visas to Iranians seeking to flee the violence and wants the European Union to adopt a common policy on how to assist them, the Italian foreign minister said.

Italy, and other members of the G8 group of industrialised nations yesterday called for an end to the violence in Iran and urged the authorities to find a peaceful solution.