U.S. blasts 'disturbing' Iran crackdown on graveside rally

The U.S. State Department on Thursday criticized Iranian police for using force to disperse a graveside memorial, calling the latest crackdown on opposition protestors "disturbing."

"I think it's particularly disturbing to see security forces use force to break up a graveside demonstration," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.

During the memorial held for victims of the violence that erupted after the June 12 election, Iranian police fired tear gas and beat anti-government protesters with batons. Thousands of people participated in the rally.

Kelly added: "We stand by the Iranian people who are seeking to exercise their universal right to self-expression to demonstrate peacefully."

The U.S. official's comments echoed similar ones made by U.S. President Barack Obama during the height of the protests in Iran that followed the election, which the opposition claimed had been rigged.

"The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost," Obama said last month in a statement released by the White House.

"We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people."