Obama must get off the fence, say critics

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The President agreed to take questions in the Rose Garden to explain his position on what is happening on the streets of Tehran and other cities.

Mr Obama has been condemned by Republican senators as being too "timid and passive" in speaking out against the violence.

His cautious stance was being linked to a dip in his approval ratings. White House press spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mr Obama was "moved" by TV news pictures of demonstrators in Tehran.

But he insisted that the President would not conduct his foreign policy based on what commentators were saying. Mr Gibbs added: "Far be it from me to conduct our foreign policy based on pundits that we see on television.

"This isn't about foreign policy that makes us feel good. This isn't about statements that might make us feel good or sound good on television. There are many in Iran that would love us to be the story.

"I think he has been moved what we've seen on television particularly so by images of women in Iran who have stood up for their right to demonstrate, to speak out and to be heard."

Mr Gibbs denied that the press conference would signal a change in tone from the Obama administration which fears being accused of meddling in Iran's politics.

The latest Gallup poll showed Mr Obama's popularity rating had slipped to 57 per cent - his lowest since the 20 January inauguration. Gallup suggested that one reason for the dip was Mr Obama's muted response to the Iran crisis.

His ambitious health care plan, which would see the government rival private health care providers, is also seen as another reason for the three per cent drop.

Mr Obama will also use the press conference to allay concerns that the £580billion stimulus package for the economy is not working.