Mike Kennedy
Gmail: Email from Google. CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. Mac Rumors: Apple Mac Rumors and News You Care About. Analysis: Is the U.S. using uprisings to blame, discredit Iran? Hillary Clinton told senators that Iran has made efforts to "influence events" in Egypt, Bahrain and Yemen.
U.S. officials take advantage of a chance to de-legitimize IranHillary Clinton says Iran has made efforts to "influence events" in Mideast unrestObama administration issues mixed messages on Iran's role Washington (CNN) -- The protests sweeping the Middle East appear to be entirely indigenous, borne of discontent with unemployment and the lack of personal freedoms, but that hasn't stopped top U.S. officials from suggesting Iran has a part and trying to send a message to Tehran. The U.S. seized upon the hypocrisy coming from Iran in celebrating the revolutions in Tunisia and Cairo as a vindication of its 1979 Islamic revolution, while crushing it own opposition with a violent crackdown. U.S. officials have taken advantage of a rich target of opportunity to de-legitimize the Iranian government, both in the eyes of the region and its pro-government supporters inside the country.