It looks like the government is planning a big crackdown there, like in China in 1989. Too bad for Iran, and the rest of the world.

They can't blame America for that, however, since we have had no influence there in 30 years. We have not even had an embassy there in all that time, nor are we even allowed to visit there as tourists. In fact, it's against US law for us to travel there at all, so the regime is wrong about the US having any influence there.

They are the ones who chose not to count the votes, and are now asking their people to accept the unacceptable. Their Supreme Leader knows this, if he knows anything at all, but we had nothing to do with it.

No, Obama should keep out of it. It is none of the United States business. It is NOT our country, Iran hasn't been shown to be committing gross atrocities just yet, just firing guns and destroying computers, and they haven't pulled anyone else into their conflict.

Obama needs to leave this up to the UN, just like every other nation in the world.

Obama is NOT Bush. And the moment he starts acting like Bush, by rushing into yet another war to waste billions of dollars in American money and thousands of American lives, is the moment it is assured no one would vote him in again.

Obama needs to stay out of it. Just like the United States Congress needs to stay out of it.

Democrats aren't Republicans. We don't believe going to war is the immediate answer to absolutely everything.

The moment Obama tries to interfere, is the moment that Iran will have "proof" that America caused the whole thing. Butt out.

Even if the US government did not "meddle" into the Iranian crisis, they are still blaming the US. Have you not heard what Khaminei said about US backed interference?

I think we have enough to worry about in our country. The President "does not" need to speak out about Iran. The only thing he has to worry about Iran is the "evil" things they have planned for our country and our allies.

We need to stay out of the hoopala that is going on over there right now......they need to figure it out and I think they will, one way or the other....

Thank you, Mr. Navarrette. The President should heed your advice.

maybe we just shouldn't be meddling in those other places...they don't excuse our future actions.

as a muslim i support democracy. And looking at this shows the world what true raw freedom is about. The courage the people take to march in the streets when their freedom is at risk. People power. I do not agree with america or any other nation getting involved in this struggle for freedom. Let them keep their dignity and honour.

I'm not sure we should be meddling on these protests, especially when they haven't been too violent, except for the deaths earlier in the week. But surprisingly overall they are quite peaceful. My main concern is how the media is being so limited and even slowing down the internet so the outside world doesn't really get to see whats going on. If the situation gets worse this could turn into a big problem, because without the media we really don't know exactly whats happening.

America–and the whole world–should speak out against the human rights violations in Iran. We shouldn't pick sides but merely to point out we do not tolerate a military attack against its own people. Not in Sudan, not in Iran, not anywhere. The Ayatollah today said that the West is already meddling in Iranian politics and blamed the protesters for being Western sympathizers. We have nothing to lose now.

But it's important that his be done internationally–not just by America. First, the U.N. has to speak out. Then all democratic countries around the world, including U.S.

I think it is good that their are protesters in Iran after this election. This could and will lead to a revolution which will hopefully lead Iran toward democracy.

nicley printed signs,, well organized...,.

I see that the big problem here is that everyone in america and Europ is very niev. If you think that those Communists countries (North Korea, IRAN, Russia, China) don't have a plan in initiate their own control at a critical hour you are very wrong. Be prepared the winds of change is in the air. Good or Not its coming!

I agree wholeheartedly.

President Obama has been very wise with his limited responses. He must not give the Mullahs any reason to twist the revolution into a U.S or Foriegn imposition on Iran. This is what the incumbents government is hoping for.

Your last sentence says it all,why we should? We stand hopelessly by,and watch millions upon millions of the African Continent population becoming refugees of an apparent protracted calculated genocide. Why? We've got involved in Pakistan, for what? One man,and his gang of renegades! Now there are more than one hundred million plus refugees displaced,and dying from decease,and lack of food,for what? We recently watch with our very eyes the slaughter of thousands ,women,infants,disabed,and elderly innocent in the Gaza Strip,for what? But ,what's ironic is the fact that Mexico, our neighbor is begging for help and we turn a blind eye,for what? We can't pick,and choose our so-called justice of a higher authority,for what? Eventually turning the stomachs inside-out of the world's nations in distain to our hypocracy! Iraq,Lebanon,Afghanistan have had there fill of, "For What"? PS. Mixing metaphors is an alchemist worst nightmare when common-sense comes back in vogue; can we light a fire inside with our foresight,or kill the rage of hindsight with our tongue,...the injustice brought upon others by ourselves? Sorry for my candid response,...if not for what?

When Kissinger praises Obama's handling of the matter, it's probably the right choice. The old way of doing things is over, and Obama is pursuing a new strategy for this nation. The Iranians themselves have no problems with what he's doing and even praised him for his wisdom in handling what is at best a difficult situation for future relations. What is important is to let the citizens of Iran show their own strength by staging their own grassroots protest, not preening before the camera and shouting empty words about democracy.

On his inauguration day, back in 1961, John F. Kennedy told the world in no uncertain terms that he planned to fight for liberty:
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty

we should BUTT OUT!!!!!!-I don't see any other country interfering and we shouldn't either.. Even if they do claim we are causing it, other countries will know we are not, but if we interfere in any way they will be believed. they are very courageous people to do what they are doing, let them handle it on their own.

Sheer idiocy.

This is IRAN. The country the United States already engineered one coup in against a democratically elected leader... something every Iranian is VERY aware of despite the average american being ignorant of the reality on the ground there. The one thing that would doom the reformers is if it became apparent they were acting with explicit american backing.

Khamenei is already trying to claim that the protests are the result of western incitement (anyone think he's doing that for no reason, hmmm?), but currently that is ringing hollow because Obama is wisely staying well clear so he doesn't sound credible to the people he's trying to sell that line to. If Obama listened to Navarrette that changes, Khamenei's propaganda becomes plausible to more peope, and the revolution dies.

Obama is handling this exactly right, it's people who think he needs to rush in there shooting his mouth off who have no clue what we're dealing with over there.

How would we like it if other nations interfered in our elections?

Many criticize the plan of President Obama saying that the plan interferes too much in the market and that does not solve the banking problem. But look: the lack of regulation led to confusion and the leak of the banking sector remains there and must be resolved slowly.

To set on the fly, President Obama he has to tighten the procedures of banks, but it should not plaster the market.

I fully agree with Melissa's comments but with the additional worry of grievous acts committed or supported by Mousavi in the '80s, which could occur again under his rule; how soon we forget. The current President is not much worse. It's who's the lesser of two evils. This subject is something I'm seeing very little of in various media, including Twitter. How many people are aware of Mousavi's previous record? Have they bothered to find out? If President Obama were to involve the U.S., no matter what the outcome, the U.S. will be the scapegoat for all the problems. It's a no win situation.

Obama is keeping a level-head and staying "under the radar" in this Iranian crisis. There are enough malcontents like John McCain to complain about our nations lack of involvement. It's no wonder his knee-jerk reaction is one reason the American people did not elect him commander of the free world. Look what the Iranian's Islamic Revolution has created, an intolerant religious run government that persecutes its own people. It is a horrible internal struggle, that must be resolved by its own people.

The UN should be more active in solving this. We're already in two wars in the middle east. President Obama roll should be via the UN – this is a very delicate volatile situation where innocent people may be slaughtered or killed. This is a very sad situation for the world.

It is so sad that persons have died in Iran and that it may get out of hand if they take a hard stance and start cracking down on demonstrators. I feel that the USA needs to let the UN take the matter and work it out.

Timing is everything & that is why he is President and you are a reporter...Iran is just looking for a way to use POTUS as a wedge issue in their country; Pres Obama has helped spring leaks in the damn and it will start to crumble if the Iranian people want it!

I don't think the U.S. should get involved with this issue because it will lead us to another war and do we really need that? Of course they are in a bad situation but if we get to much involved we will start something.