U.S. monitors Iran election fallout

Published: June 13, 2009 at 5:04 PM

WASHINGTON, June 13 (UPI) -- The White House said Saturday it was monitoring the aftermath of presidential election in Iran, including allegations of irregularities in the voting.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a written statement: "Like the rest of the world, we were impressed by the vigorous debate and enthusiasm that this election generated, particularly among young Iranians. We continue to monitor the entire situation closely, including reports of irregularities."

Incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad breezed to victory in a closely watched vote that many observers had predicted would be much closer.

The results triggered weekend protests by supporters of the main challenger, former Prime Minister Hossein Moussavi. Moussavi Saturday said the results indicated an erosion of Iranian democracy and a rise of authoritarian rule.

CNN said the Obama administration has been keeping a discreet distance from the election.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a written statement that the United States "obviously hopes that the outcome reflects the genuine will and desire of the Iranian people."

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints




Additional News Stories
Texas evidence barred from Ariz. trial (9 min)
Alaska mulls new ethics rules post-Palin (10 min)
Md. report optimistic about wind power (12 min)
Modified egg plant held off in India (16 min)
NBA: Utah 109, LA Clippers 99 (25 min)
NBA: Oklahoma City 89, Portland 77 (32 min)
2 alleged drug gangsters, 5 cops arrested (44 min)
fark
Illegal immigration dropped 7 percent last year on news that US sucks almost as much as Mexico these...
Thanks to union contracts, a Madison Wisconsin bus driver earned $159,258 last year. Step to the...
Woman charged with impersonation. Of Jabba The Hutt, apparently
Georgia man arrested with $1.6 billion in phony Treasury notes. Authorities became suspicious upon...
If you're 62 years old, you shouldn't go sledding. But if you do, don't strap a homemade rocket...
You know how you have to break in to a store because all of the doors are locked? The same rules...