The Obama administration’s criticism of the Iranian crackdown on dissent following the June 12 election shows its offer of talks on Iran’s nuclear program isn’t genuine, said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a speech in which he vowed to take a tougher approach toward the West in his second term. “If they think the government will be influenced, they’re wrong,” he told officials at a nationally televised conference yesterday.

Ahmadinejad said that “the government will have a more powerful and decisive approach in the new term,” and lashed out at Western leaders calling them “the arrogants.” President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Iran two days ago to halt the violence against protesters who say the election was rigged. Obama dismissed Ahmadinejad’s demand for an apology for “interfering” in Iran’s affairs.