West condemns Iran crackdown but Khamenei 'will not back down'

June 24, 2009

World leaders led by US President Barack Obama have condemned a state crackdown against protests in Iran but Tehran has brushed criticism aside, calling it meddling by foreign powers -- including the United Nations -- in its sovereign affairs. Outside Iran governments are seeking an appropriate response to the post-election unrest which will offer support to Iran's reformist elements without handing a propaganda weapon to the Islamic regime.