Iran opposition leader vows to fight on despite pressure
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Daily News with wires
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 26, 2009 00:00
TEHRAN - Iran's opposition leader pledged Thursday not to withdraw his election challenge despite what he said were attempts to isolate and discredit him, while the declared winner of the vote, hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, accused President Barack Obama of meddling in Iran's affairs.
Obama, along with other Western leaders, has ratcheted up his criticism of Iran's clampdown on post-election protesters in recent days, something Iran has described as foreign interference. In the latest sign of government attempts to silence dissent, 70 university professors were detained late Wednesday after a meeting with the main opposition figure, Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has alleged massive fraud in the June 12 vote, reported the Associated Press. But a top dissident cleric warned Iran's rulers that their suppression of the opposition protests could threaten the very foundations of the Islamic regime, grappling with the biggest upheaval since the 1979 revolution.
In recent days, demonstrators challenging the election results have found themselves increasingly struggling under a blanket crackdown by government authorities.
Mousavi, who last led a protest rally a week ago, described his growing difficulties for the first time Thursday, in a statement posted in his official Web site, Kalemeh.
He said authorities were increasingly isolating and vilifying him in an attempt to get him to withdraw his election challenge.
Harsh criticism
Mousavi's comments came as his rival Ahmedinejad reiterated complaints about foreign interference Thursday, singling out Obama, in a statement quoted by Iranian state television. "I hope you (Obama) will avoid interfering in Iran's affairs," Ahmadinejad said, accusing the U.S. leader of using words similar to those of his predecessor George W. Bush who took a hard line against the Islamic republic.
"Will you use this language with Iran (in any future dialogue)? If this is your stance, there will be nothing left to talk about," he was quoted by Agence France-Presse. Since taking office Obama has made diplomatic overtures towards Iran, after three decades of severed ties and a standoff with the international community on Tehran's nuclear drive. But he has been increasingly critical of the June 12 vote.
In recent days, demonstrators challenging the election results have found themselves increasingly struggling under a blanket crackdown by government authorities.
Mousavi, who last led a protest rally a week ago, described his growing difficulties for the first time Thursday, in a statement posted in his official Web site, Kalemeh.
He said authorities were increasingly isolating and vilifying him in an attempt to get him to withdraw his election challenge.
Harsh criticism
Mousavi's comments came as his rival Ahmedinejad reiterated complaints about foreign interference Thursday, singling out Obama, in a statement quoted by Iranian state television. "I hope you (Obama) will avoid interfering in Iran's affairs," Ahmadinejad said, accusing the U.S. leader of using words similar to those of his predecessor George W. Bush who took a hard line against the Islamic republic.
"Will you use this language with Iran (in any future dialogue)? If this is your stance, there will be nothing left to talk about," he was quoted by Agence France-Presse. Since taking office Obama has made diplomatic overtures towards Iran, after three decades of severed ties and a standoff with the international community on Tehran's nuclear drive. But he has been increasingly critical of the June 12 vote.