White House Condemns Iran Executions

The White House on Thursday condemned Iran for hanging two political dissidents convicted of trying to topple "the Islamic establishment" following the disputed Iranian presidential election last year. "We see it as a low point in the Islamic Republic's unjust and ruthless crackdown of peaceful dissent," Bill Burton, deputy press secretary for the White House, told reporters.

"Murdering political prisoners who are exercising their universal rights will not bring the respect and legitimacy the Islamic Republic seeks," he continued. "It will only serve to further isolate Iran's government in the world and from its people."