President Obama held a news conference this morning in which he used some of his strongest language yet to criticize the recent Iranian election:

The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings, and imprisonments of the last few days. I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost.

I have made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not at all interfering in Iran’s affairs. But we must also bear witness to the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place.

Though these remarks forcefully condemn the violence and repression that has taken place, the press was reportedly frustrated in their attempts to get President Obama to explicitly state what he thinks the U.S. or the international community should do if the demonstrations and violence continues. The issue is complicated not only by President Obama’s desire to engage Iran on the nuclear issue, but also the history of U.S. - Iran relations, which places any attempts by the U.S. to interfere in Iranian domestic affairs in a different light, one easily manipulated by propagandists seeking to blame the U.S. for the election turmoil.

I’d like to recommend an upcoming discussion concerning Iran’s presidential election and the future of U.S.-Iran relations hosted by The Asia Society. The discussion will feature two leading Iran experts, Farideh Farhi, an Independent Scholar and Affiliate Graduate Faculty at the University of Hawaii at Manao, and Arang Keshavarzian, a professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at New York University.  Arang Keshavarzian was in Iran for the presidential election and its immediate aftermath. Suzanne DiMaggio, Asia Society’s Director of Policy Studies, will moderate the discussion, which will take place on Thursday, June 25, from 6:30 PM - 8 PM EST, at the Society’s New York headquarters and will feature a live webcast. Internet listseners will be able to ask questions and offer comments by e-mail ( moderator at asiasociety.org) during the webcast.

Photo Credit:  The Associated Press