Iran has helped terrorists in Afghanistan

"Understandably, Israel is very concerned when the president of a country, a large country near them, states that they should be wiped off the face of the earth," Obama said, referring to comments by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Obama said Iran could play a constructive role in stabilizing neighboring Afghanistan and that the United States was willing to work with Tehran toward that goal. But also said, "Behind the scenes, we see evidence that occasionally, they have, actually, helped insurgents in ways that end up harming our troops (in Afghanistan)."

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comments about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks "offensive" and "hateful."


Mr. Obama also commented on Iran's nuclear program in the interview.  He told the BBC  there are a "host of options" available if Iran does not cooperate with nuclear regulators.

He also commented on Iran's apparent repression of opposition activists following last year's disputed presidential election.  Mr. Obama said the U.S. has no interest in "meddling in the rights of people to choose their own government."  But he said the U.S will speak out "forcefully" when it sees a government abusing and oppressing its own people.

Iran is becoming a military dictatorship

"Even today, in 2010, women are still targets of violence," she said Sunday. "And all too often, religion might be used to justify it. But there is never a justification for violence against women. It is not cultural. It is criminal. And it is up to religious leaders to take a stand for women, to call for an end to honor killings, child marriages, domestic and gender-based violence."

It is important to do what has to be done in order to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon

The Obama Administration believes that it is important to do what has to be done in order to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, he said. Among them are, he said: "A host of things, including I think beginning by engaging directly with them, so that they can live up to their own responsibilities in not pursuing that technology."

Iran waiting for Khamenei's order to build N-bomb: Report

Iran intimidates western powers

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday Iran's intentions were unclear following its election and that President Barack Obama's offer of talks with Tehran was not open-ended.

US plans to halt Iran by ‘defence umbrella’

The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, warned Tehran on Wednesday that Washington may extend a “defence umbrella” over the Middle East to negate any advantage Iran might seek in developing nuclear weapons. Previously, senior US government officials maintained Iran ultimately would be prevented from building a bomb. Tehran insists its nuclear programme solely for the peaceful generation of electricity.

“We want Iran to calculate what I think is a fair assessment: that if the United States extends a defence umbrella over the region, if we do even more to support the military capacity of those in the Gulf, it’s unlikely Iran will be any stronger or safer, because they won’t be able to intimidate and dominate, as they apparently believe they can, once they have a nuclear weapon.”

“Gulf leaders are very worried about Iran’s nuclear programme –it’s their top priority at the moment, even more than the Israeli-Palestinian question. Of course, these countries will also end up financing any defence umbrella.”

Obama:Violence affects hope for dialogue with Iran

Their bravery in the face of brutality is a testament to their enduring pursuit of justice. The violence perpetrated against them is outrageous.

"Iran's possession of nuclear weapons will trigger an arms race in the Middle East that would be bad ... for the security of the entire region," Obama said.

"So even as we clearly speak out in a unified voice in opposition to the violence that's taken place in Iran, we also have to be steady in recognizing that the prospect of Iran with a nuclear weapon is a big problem."