Obama on Iran: This is not a U.S. issue

The Iranian presidential elections are not a U.S. issue, President Obama said Monday, seeking to underscore an image of non-interference in Iran’s persistent domestic conflict.

“This is not an issue of the United States, or the West versus Iran,” Obama said during an appearance on CBS Monday morning.

The president acknowledged the possibility of a strong U.S. position on the election being used domestically in Iran against those who allege incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole the election from reformist candidate MirHossein Mousavi.

“The last thing that I want to do is to have the United States be a foil for those forces inside Iran, who would love nothing better than to make this an argument about the United States,” the president explained. “That’s what they do. That’s what we’re already seeing.”

Some lawmakers — mostly Republicans — have criticized Obama for a perceived passivity in the race, arguing the administration should do more to encourage Mousavi supporters, who’ve taken to the streets since Iran’s ruling regime declared Ahmadinejad the victor by an overwhelming margin.