Increased Support from American Lawmakers for Nationwide Protests in Iran

As the widespread protests in various regions of Iran continue to expand, the reactions of American lawmakers and other prominent political figures in support of the Iranian people's struggle against the ruling regime have persisted. Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina, who has repeatedly expressed his support for this popular uprising against the clerical regime since the protests began, issued a statement saying that America supports "the determination of the Iranian people to overcome the rule of the Ayatollahs." He added in this message that "help is on the way." Just hours earlier, Senator Graham had written another message "to the people of Iran": "Your long nightmare will soon be over. Your courage and determination to end the oppression you have endured have been noticed by the President of the United States and all lovers of freedom." Katie Boyd Britt, a Republican senator from Arizona, wrote in a message: "May God protect the people of Iran. America stands with you in your fight for freedom against the oppressive regime in Tehran." Kevin Cramer, a Republican senator from North Dakota, also tweeted: "When people rise up against an oppressive regime, the world must listen to them. The people of Iran deserve dignity and freedom. America supports them." John Fetterman, a Democratic senator from Pennsylvania, also expressed his support for the Iranian people, stating: "I fully supported the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities last year. If further actions are necessary, this process and momentum must be maintained. These brave protesters deserve our full support to break this ruthless regime." Tim Scott, a Republican senator from South Carolina, noted in this context: "The United States and Israel have exposed the weakness of the Iranian regime. The situation in Iran has reached a boiling point, and freedom-loving people around the world stand with the people of Iran." Tom Cotton, a senator from Arkansas, also emphasized U.S. support for "the brave people of Iran, who have taken to the streets against their murderous dictators." On the other hand, David McCormick, a senator from Pennsylvania, referred to the ongoing protests, saying: "As the people of Iran continue their uprising, we also support their brave fight for freedom." John Cornyn, a Republican senator from Texas, described the developments on Saturday, January 20, as "an opportunity - and even a commitment" for the United States and the global community to support "the people of Iran," emphasizing that supporting the demands of the Iranian people for freedom and human dignity is a responsibility beyond national borders. Similar positions have been adopted in the U.S. House of Representatives. Carlos Gimenez, a Republican representative from Florida, announced: "The U.S. Congress supports the brave men and women of Iran who are demanding their rights and freedoms in the streets." He stated that "the evil dictatorship of the Ayatollah must be thrown into the dustbin of history." Claudia Tenney, a Republican member of the House from New York, called for prayers for "the brave women and men who are facing a brutal regime in Iran with tremendous personal sacrifices." She described the Iranian people's struggle against the regime as "a noble battle for human dignity." Ted Cruz, a Republican senator from Texas, reacted to the nationwide revolutionary uprising of Iranians by stating that if the people of Iran overthrow the Ayatollah, America and "the whole world" will be safer. Cruz humorously referred to the leaders of the Islamic Republic, writing: "May the crowd chanting 'Death to America' meet their 72 virgins tonight." He ended this sentence with several "praying hands" emojis. Just hours before Cruz's recent message, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, reacted to the nationwide uprising in Iran once again, speaking of "Iran nearing freedom" and America's readiness to assist the protesters. He emphasized in this message: "Iran is approaching freedom; perhaps in an unprecedented way. The United States is ready to help." At the cabinet level, Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, also announced in a message: "The United States supports the brave people of Iran." As the scope and intensity of the nationwide protests in various regions of Iran continue to expand, the reactions of prominent political figures in America to these protests have persisted. As the anti-regime protests in Iran have reached their fourteenth day, several American lawmakers have recently expressed support for these popular protests. While many American lawmakers, mainly Republicans - including Senators Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, and Marsha Blackburn - had supported the protests before they escalated, bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for the demands of the Iranian people has gained momentum with the expansion and intensification of the protests. Jason Crow, a Democratic member of the House from Kentucky, announced his support for Iranians who "risk everything for a better future," condemning the regime's "violence and intimidation." Jackie Rosen, a Democratic senator from Nevada, called the ruling regime in Iran "the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism" and emphasized that a democratic Iran "will make the whole world safer." She expressed support for the protesters demanding to be freed from the clutches of "this oppressive regime" and called for the resumption of White House programs to support activists and "restore the Iranian people's access to the internet at this critical moment." Susie Lee, another Democratic member of the House from Nevada, praised the "extraordinary bravery of millions of people across Iran" against the "ruthless and oppressive" Islamic Republic, emphasizing: "The Iranian regime commits crimes against its own people to maintain power. This regime does not want the world to know what is happening across their country: the people of Iran are demanding freedom and an end to the Islamic Republic." She stressed support for the Iranian people's demand for freedom, stating that the world is watching. Lizzie Fletcher, a Democratic member of the House from Texas, supported the Iranian people's right to peacefully protest for a democratic government that brings them democracy, rights, and opportunities, referring to the internet shutdown, stating: "Cutting off Iranians' communication with each other and the outside world is a disgraceful act by a government that fears its own people." Suhas Subramaniam, a Democratic legislator from Virginia, also issued a statement regarding the nationwide protests in Iran, emphasizing that the Iranian people have been facing human rights violations and economic turmoil for years, expressing his support for the Iranian people and their aspirations for a freer and more secular future. With the escalation of anti-government protests in Iran and reports of widespread demonstrations in several cities, American officials and lawmakers have expressed their support for the protesting people of Iran while warning against any violence against the demonstrators. Donald Trump stated on Friday, January 19, that the Islamic Republic regime is in "big trouble in Iran. I believe people are taking control of cities that just a few weeks ago no one thought possible." In this context, the majority of the House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote on Wednesday, January 17, in a message on social media: "The people of Iran have bravely risen against an oppressive regime." The message stated: "The ruling mullahs have been warned: if [the regime] in Tehran violently suppresses peaceful protesters, justice will be swiftly served against them." The Republican majority of this committee had previously stated that the people of Iran are "fed up with the tyrant Ayatollah and the bloodthirsty clerics" and noted that "with the expansion of protests, the regime's grip on power is collapsing." This committee also stated that protesters in some cities have taken control of the situation. Meanwhile, Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican senator from South Carolina, warned Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, in an interview with Fox News, saying: "Trump is not Obama. If you continue to massacre the people, Donald J. Trump will kill you." In his message to the people of Iran, Graham added: "We stand with you tonight, supporting you to take back your country from the Ayatollahs, these religious Nazis who kill you and terrify the world." He continued to emphasize: "We pray for you and support you." Earlier, the Persian account of the U.S. State Department on X had written: "Despite the violence and ruthless repression, Iranians bravely stand up for their rights. Their perseverance in the face of fear is a powerful cry for justice and freedom against a regime that rules through repression." As protests and nationwide strikes against the Islamic Republic continue and government repression persists, a White House official told the Persian section of Voice of America that Donald Trump is serious about implementing his warning against the officials of the Islamic Republic. In recent days, a new wave of protests has been reported in various cities in Iran. These developments have drawn a widespread reaction from political circles in America, and some officials, including members of Congress and the Senate, have openly supported the Iranian protesters.