President comments on Iran crackdown

(NBC) - President Barack Obama toughened his condemnation of the crackdown in Iran, saying the world is outraged.

"Heartbreaking" is what he called that video of the young Iranian woman dying on a Tehran street.

But President Obama also fired back at Republicans who are calling his statements on Iran too timid.

He opened his news conference with his strongest language yet about the crackdown in Iran.

“The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings, and imprisonments of the last few days," said President Obame. "I strongly condemn these unjust actions."

He also commented on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election.

"There is significant questions about the legitimacy of the election," said President Obama.

Like millions worldwide, President Obama has seen the video of Neda Agha Soltan, the 26-year-old Iranian woman, dying of a gunshot wound at Saturday’s protest in Tehran.

Republicans, led by John McCain, urged the president to toughen up on Iran. When asked if he is taking their advice, Obama said, “What do you think?”

Some Republicans credit themselves to the crackdown, while others condone his actions.

“I think the President did step up his criticism of the Iranian regime," said Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio. "I congratulate him for that.”

Sill, President Obama is making clear again that the U.S. and the CIA are not directing the demonstrations.

Obama was asked: “If the crisis dies down, will the president still OK talks with Ahmadinejad about nuclear weapons and terror?"

He answered yes to talks, but no to any deal if repression continues.

“What we've been seeing over the last several days, the last couple of weeks, obviously is not encouraging in terms of the path that this regime may choose to take," said President Obama.

The president claims the path he's taken in this crisis has not changed, but his measured tone was replaced by the sound of outrage.