Uncharacteristically it has been Europe, rather than the US, which has been the most vocal in condemning Iran's use of force in quelling the street protests that have left at least 17 dead.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has invoked the regime's anger by calling for a recount of the June 12 election that returned hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has invoked the regime's anger by calling for a recount of the June 12 election that returned hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.
France summoned Iran's ambassador to express concern about what it called "brutal repression" of protesters in Tehran while Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden also summoned Iranian envoys in their capitals.
Italy has said it is prepared to open its embassy to wounded protesters, while the Czech Republic, which currently holds the European Union presidency, has called for EU members to consider summoning the heads of Iran's missions in Europe to protest against post-election violence.
President Obama has been notably cautious, preferring to adopt a "wait and see" approach and stressing the US has not been involved in fomenting unrest but said he "strongly condemned" the killing of protesters.
Russia – long an ally of the Iranian regime – has appeared to back those in power by calling for a constitutional resolution to the crisis.
China has also backed President Ahmadinejad, with its foreign ministry saying it respected what it called "the choice of the Iranian people".
Syria, which has deep links with Iran, has criticised the street protests.
The response of Gulf states, which fear the onset of Iranian dominance in the region, has been mixed.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, appeared to back Tehran's claims of Western meddling on Monday, saying interference was "unacceptable".
In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, whose leaders worry that a warming of relations between Washington and Tehran will weaken their position as the key regional power, newspapers and television channels have given extensive coverage to Iran's troubles.
Italy has said it is prepared to open its embassy to wounded protesters, while the Czech Republic, which currently holds the European Union presidency, has called for EU members to consider summoning the heads of Iran's missions in Europe to protest against post-election violence.
President Obama has been notably cautious, preferring to adopt a "wait and see" approach and stressing the US has not been involved in fomenting unrest but said he "strongly condemned" the killing of protesters.
Russia – long an ally of the Iranian regime – has appeared to back those in power by calling for a constitutional resolution to the crisis.
China has also backed President Ahmadinejad, with its foreign ministry saying it respected what it called "the choice of the Iranian people".
Syria, which has deep links with Iran, has criticised the street protests.
The response of Gulf states, which fear the onset of Iranian dominance in the region, has been mixed.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, appeared to back Tehran's claims of Western meddling on Monday, saying interference was "unacceptable".
In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, whose leaders worry that a warming of relations between Washington and Tehran will weaken their position as the key regional power, newspapers and television channels have given extensive coverage to Iran's troubles.
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