Clinton, Biden want Obama to take stronger stance on Iran

The New York Times reports the president is getting some pressure from within his administration

Published June 18, 2009 4:55PM (EDT)

President Obama is getting some external pressure, largely from political opponents, to take a tougher line on the situation in Iran, and to be more vocal in supporting the protesters there. So far, he's resisted, and even said publicly there's a risk that such an approach could backfire.

But according to the New York Times, Obama's also hearing from senior officials within his administration, including Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, that he should rethink his current stance.

According to the Times, its sources within the administration say that Clinton and Biden, among others, "while supporting the president's approach... would like to strike a stronger tone in support of the protesters." There's also some concern, the paper reports, that the president "run[s] the risk of coming across on the wrong side of history at a potentially transformative moment in Iran."


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

MORE FROM Alex Koppelman


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Hillary Rodham Clinton Iran Joe Biden Middle East War Room