Mike Pence: We Stand with the People of Iran

Mike Pence, the Vice President of the United States, criticized the Iranian government's approach to recent protests on Monday, August 15, stating that the United States stands with the people. In a tweet, Pence wrote: 'The use of violence by the Iranian government against the people of this country is unacceptable. Iranians have the right to oppose a government that spends billions of dollars supporting ruthless dictators and terrorists abroad while the voices of its own people cry out for jobs, opportunities, and freedom. We stand with the people of Iran!' Pence's tweet was a response to a tweet from Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, who expressed concern about 'reports of violence by the Iranian government against unarmed citizens' during the recent protests. Pompeo also emphasized support for the Iranian people's right to protest against 'corruption and oppression without fear of retaliation.' The Secretary of State urged the Iranian government to 'respect the human rights' of its people. In recent weeks, following the collapse of the rial's value, economic instability, rising prices, and daily increases in foreign currency and gold coin prices, Tehran and several cities in Iran have witnessed protests. These protests initially began with economic slogans but evolved to include chants against the Supreme Leader, the government, and the clergy. It has been reported that a 26-year-old man was killed during the protests in Karaj. Meanwhile, an Iranian official stated that this young man was shot from behind by a weapon among the 'gatherers.' Iranian officials have not accepted responsibility for the deaths of most protesters killed during the protests of 2009, January 2018, and other similar cases, often attributing the shootings to 'unknown individuals,' 'agents of Western security services,' and individuals among the protesters. The Iranian authorities have not yet announced the number of detainees from the recent protests. However, according to a member of parliament, 3,700 people were arrested during the protests last January.