Latest Iran Video: Ahmadinejad on US Public Broadcasting Service (20 September)

President Ahmadinejad appeared last night on "The Charlie Rose Show" on the US Public Broadcasting Service.

Rose's opening approach, challenging Ahmadinejad on sanctions with the statement of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani about the folly of ignoring them, on its own was more valuable than the entirety of his last interview with Ahmadinejad, which we criticised on EA. It seemed to unsettle the President, who tried the unusual response that this proved "freedom of speech" in Iran before attempting a convoluted explanation why sanctions were not having an impact on Iran.

Rose loses impetus by falling into the familiar challenges to Ahmadinejad on Iran's nuclear programme, for which the President is more than prepared, and banter about "the Zionist regime" and the Israel-Palestine talks.

There is a telling moment when Rose presses Ahmadinejad with the comment of Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas that Iran is one of the biggest impediments to an Israel-Palestine settlement. When Ahmadinejad tries the "freedom of speech" gambit, Rose shifts to the question of whether that freedom of speech is allowed for Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. He does not get an immediate reply, but does return to the topic later in the interview, bringing Ahmadinejad's brazen response, "There is freedom of speech" but Mousavi and Karroubi "created problems for themselves", encouraging protests where "policemen were killed".

In another exchange, Ahmadinejad raises eyebrows when he introduces the case of Sakineh Mohammad Ashtiani, condemned to death for adultery. First, he balks at even mentioning her name. Then he lies --- as he did 48 hours ago in his interview with Christiane Amanpour --- that there was never a sentence of execution by stoning. Then he tries the diversion of Teresa Lewis, the woman in Virginia facing capital punishment this week. Eventually, he winds up at the point where he says that he is against the death penalty.

(Unfortunately, Rose again loses momentum by not maintaining focus on the political and legal questions over Iran's treatment of the opposition and dissidents.)

Still, even if the Iranian President ran into a bit of trouble with his responses, his office have been quick to turn the encounter into proof of his international stature, highlighting his reassurance that the Iranian economy is growing despite sanctions. No reference, however, to Ahmadinejad's declarations on "freedom of speech" and his attack on Mousavi and Karroubi.