As the dust settles on the aftermath of the Iranian elections, Western governments are urging Tehran to end its crackdown on pro-reformist protesters.

Barack Obama, the US president, described the treatment of protesters disputing the result of the recent presidential poll as "unjust" and said that the international community was "appalled and outraged" by the "threats, beatings, and imprisonments" of demonstrators.

Are Western governments truly concerned about the safety of Iranian civilians? Is the Iranian government right to suspect that foreign hands are encouraging a "soft" revolution in Iran?

What role has Western media played in the aftermath of the election and has it been selective in dealing with the Iranian crisis?

Inside Story is joined by Sayed Mohamed Marandi, a political analyst and professor at Tehran University; David Seddon, a professor of politics and sociology, specialising in the Middle East; and Joshua Goodman, the head of research at the Foundation for the Defence of Democracy.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Wednesday, 24 June, 2009.