I think it would be wrong for me to be silent about what we’ve seen on the television over the last few days. And what I would say to those people who put so much hope and energy and optimism into the political process, I would say to them that the world is watching and inspired by their participation, regardless of what the ultimate outcome of the election was. And they should know that the world is watching.

And particularly to the youth of Iran, I want them to know that we in the United States do not want to make any decisions for the Iranians, but we do believe that the Iranian people and their voices should be heard and respected.

I think he’s walking a tightrope here and this was the best statement he can put out at this time, given that some protestors are worried that an explicit statement of support by Obama will lend credence to the government’s claims that the opposition is (already) US led. That could stir up more anti-US sentiment and undermine any reform coalition—which already has factions that are anti-US.