Obama says US, world \'appalled\' by Iran violence

President Barack Obama on Tuesday declared the United States and the entire world were \"appalled and outraged\" by Iran\'s violent efforts to crush dissent and for the first time expressed significant doubt about the legitimacy of the national election at the root of the upheaval, according to a report by Jennifer Loven of the Associated Press.



The president suggested that Iran would face consequences for brutally beating back protest, warning that the way the country responds in the days ahead will shape its relationship with other countries, including the United States. He would not specify what any punishment might be.



Obama addressed reporters under mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers who have accused him of being too passive in challenging Iran\'s crackdown. Obama said he has been consistent and scoffed at the suggestion that Republicans influenced his stand.



\"Only I\'m the president of the United States,\" the president declared.



He has searched for the right balance - supporting peaceful protest, condemning violence but trying to avoid any perception of U.S. meddling. In a toughening of his rhetoric, Obama expressed outrage at the \"threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days. \"



\"I strongly condemn these unjust actions,\" he said.



\"I have made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not interfering in Iran\'s affairs,\" Obama said. \"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.\"



Obama noted the killing of a young woman, Neda Agha Soltan, whose apparent shooting death was captured on video and circulated worldwide.



\"We have seen courageous women stand up to brutality and threats, and we have experienced the searing image of a woman bleeding to death on the streets,\" Obama said. \"While this loss is raw and painful, we also know this: Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history.\"



Obama said he\'s watched the video. \"It\'s heartbreaking,\" he said. \"I think that anybody who sees it knows that there\'s something fundamentally unjust about it.\"





Obama didn\'t rule out shifting U.S. strategy on Iran, which now calls for an opening of dialogue.

\"We are going to monitor and see how this plays itself out before we make any adjustments about how we proceed,\" the president said.



Obama forcefully rejected the idea that he\'s been slow to forcefully respond to Iran\'s violent crackdown on dissent.



\"I don\'t think that\'s accurate,\" Obama said. \"Track what I\'ve been saying.\"



When asked if his strong language on Tuesday was influenced by pressure from such Republicans as Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Obama scoffed: \"What do you think?\"



On Sunday, Sen. Graham, R-S.C., said: \"The president of the United States is supposed to lead the free world, not follow it. He\'s been timid and passive more than I would like.\" McCain, R-Ariz., who challenged Obama for the presidency, said: \"I\'d like to see the president be stronger than he has been.\"



On the home front, Obama suggested that he ultimately might be willing to accept a health care plan without a government-run option for consumers. And on the recession, he said it was too soon to propose a second stimulus plan to jolt the economy, even as he acknowledged the unemployment rate is headed over 10 percent.



On a less-earthshaking matter, at one point the questioning turned to Obama\'s inability to kick the smoking habit.



\"I would say I\'m 95 percent cured, but there are times when I mess up,\" the president said the day after signing an anti-smoking bill into law. He said he doesn\'t light up in front of his children or his wife.