It’s been a long time since the United States has been on the right side when it comes to Iran’s oppression against its people. President Obama conspicuously ignored their pleas when last they had major protests against the government. President Trump isn’t quite as shy as his predecessor.
While the President hasn’t taken to Twitter yet to express his personal perspective, the State Department’s statement is sufficient for now:
NEW: U.S. urges "all nations to publicly support the Iranian people and their demands for basic rights and an end to corruption," State Dept. says, after second day of spontaneous protests. https://t.co/0fyl85MUGw pic.twitter.com/MxdyGBSH6S
— ABC News (@ABC) December 29, 2017
We are following reports of multiple peaceful protests by Iranian citizens in cities across the country. Iran’s leaders have turned a wealthy country with a rich history and culture into an economically depleted rogue state whose chief exports are violence, bloodshed, and chaos. As President Trump has said, the longest-suffering victims of Iran’s leaders are Iran’s own people.
The United States strongly condemns the arrest of peaceful protesters. We urge all nations to publicly support the Iranian people and their demands for basic rights and an end to corruption.
On June 14, 2017, Secretary Tillerson testified to Congress that he supports “those elements inside of Iran that would lead to a peaceful transition of government. Those elements are there, certainly as we know.” The Secretary today repeats his deep support for the Iranian people.
Iranian persecution of its own citizens isn’t covered as much as it is in other countries because the nation is so isolated. There is speculation that protests happen more regularly than the rest of the world knows, but as former CIA analyst Fred Fleitz pointed out, experts believe they get started before being quashed by the government:
The protests are big enough to break through the shield the Iranian regime has over its people. Now, the world is watching. Will they heed the calls from both Iranian citizens and the U.S. State Department to not allow their voices to be stifled as they were last time?
Perspectives
Iranian cities hit by anti-government protests
The demonstrations began in the north-eastern city of Mashhad – the country’s second most-populous – on Thursday.
People there took to the streets to express anger at the government over high prices, and vented their fury against President Hassan Rouhani. Fifty-two people were arrested for chanting “harsh slogans”.
Pro-government protests are scheduled for Saturday to commemorate a crackdown on reformists in 2009 by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and its Basij militia. Regarding the current protests in Iran, The Revolutionary Guard said, “The Iranian nation … will not allow the country to be hurt.”
Obama and the left have demonstrated they support a fascist style of government, one that violently suppresses opposition while lying to the public about its policies and programs. So, it was no surprise when Obama allowed a great opportunity to pass by when the Iranian people protested the rigged elections (something else the left supports). Obama didn’t want to anger his brethren by supporting freedom.
I hear they want the Shua back their leaders are too restrictive with their Sharia Law