TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his re-election was “real and free” and cannot be questioned. He also indicated there would be no change in the country’s nuclear policy during his second term, saying any country attacking Iran would deeply regret it, Reuters reported.
Ahmadinejad made the comments Sunday during a press conference — his first since the government announced that he was re-elected to a second term in a landslide victory during Friday’s vote.
“Who dares to attack Iran? Who even dares to think about it?” Reuters quoted Ahmadinejad at the press conference.
Ahmadinejad also accused foreign media of launching a “psychological war against” against the country.
But his top opponent accused the government of voter fraud and many of his supporters have clashed with police in Tehran’s streets. About a mile away from Ahmadinejad’s press conference, young Iranians set trash bins, banks and tires on fire as riot police beat them back with batons.
Several Iranian journalists who asked questions first congratulated Ahmadinejad for his victory. When asked about the allegations of voting irregularities, the hard-line president brushed the claims off, calling them unimportant.
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Updates:
4:47 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Iranians Protest, Government Cracks Down (Updated)
4:59 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Regime Unleashed– Gunshots & Beatings In Tehran
5:02 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Moussavi Web site letter wants election results thrown out
5:04 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Ahmadinejad: No guarantee on rival’s safety (video)
5:06 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Defeated Iranian reformist Mir-Hossein Mousavi calls for more protest
5:10 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Ahmadinejad ‘takes back Tehran’
5:25 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Twitter Users Put CNN to Shame on Iran Riot Coverage
5:41 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Iran closes Al Arabiya bureau
5:48 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Editorial: Tehran Spring
5:52 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 –Fletcher: Tehran is running scared
5:56 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Editorial: Ahmadinejad’s ‘victory’ is a disaster for Iran
6:03 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Booker: Iranian elections a ‘loathsome charade’
6:34 pm EDT, June 14th, 2009 — Editorial: The Facebook revolt of Iran’s youth isn’t over yet
Notes:
It is interesting to review Wikepedia regarding Iran’s recent history, especially the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Elections appear rather spirited in Iran. I don’t recall hearing if there were any UN or other international monitors to see just how fair the voting was… I wonder why?
I don’t know what to make of this, Mac other than that about 70% of the population of Iran is under the age of 30 according to one report I saw. Also, I watched a NY university prof interviewed by “Freddie” Whitfield this PM on CNN. He is from Iran and his feeling is this is exactly how the revolution that brought the “mad mullahs” to power started. He is old enough to remember it.
It may all go nowhere but you never know.
Unlike Ignegatiff , you can actually vote for or against Ahmadinejad . Whether it’s counted or not is another story , but the option is there .
I suppose.
There would be a certain amount if ironic justice if Ahmadinejad got his comeuppance from a populous youth movement. Mind you, replacing one set of whackjobs with another wouldn’t be much of an improvement.
Crazy is as crazy does. That’s the trouble with absolute power.
mid island mike