The West has recently turned up the volume on its critique of Iran. But diplomats are also wary of closing the door on dialogue, particularly given the long list of regional problems. How far is too far? For a time, diplomatic reserve was the name of the game. Now though, Western governments have seemed to shed their wariness of openly criticizing Iran's leadership as it continues to face ongoing demonstrations stemming from opposition concerns of massive election fraud in the presidential vote held earlier this month. How far is too far? Western politicians are feeling domestic pressure to be more aggressive in their critique of Iran. Here, a woman at a demonstration in Los Angeles holds up Iranian currency depicting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with his eyes cut out. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown have both gone on the offensive as has US President Barack Obama. All have demanded that Tehran refrain from violence and oppression as it seeks to put an end to the mass protests in the Iranian capital. On Sunday, the German government also joined in the chorus of criticism. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called the violence "unacceptable" and Chancellor Angela Merkel presented a five-item catalogue of demands that includes a vote recount in the June 12 elections which saw President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proclaimed victor.
The West has recently turned up the volume on its critique of Iran. But diplomats are also wary of closing the door on dialogue, particularly given the long list of regional problems. How far is too far?
For a time, diplomatic reserve was the name of the game. Now though, Western governments have seemed to shed their wariness of openly criticizing Iran's leadership as it continues to face ongoing demonstrations stemming from opposition concerns of massive election fraud in the presidential vote held earlier this month.
How far is too far? Western politicians are feeling domestic pressure to be more aggressive in their critique of Iran. Here, a woman at a demonstration in Los Angeles holds up Iranian currency depicting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with his eyes cut out. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown have both gone on the offensive as has US President Barack Obama. All have demanded that Tehran refrain from violence and oppression as it seeks to put an end to the mass protests in the Iranian capital.
On Sunday, the German government also joined in the chorus of criticism. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called the violence "unacceptable" and Chancellor Angela Merkel presented a five-item catalogue of demands that includes a vote recount in the June 12 elections which saw President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proclaimed victor.
