Senator Cotton Calls for Support for the People of Iran Amid Mashhad Protests

Tom Cotton, a Republican senator, issued a brief statement on Thursday regarding the protests in Mashhad, calling for "support for the people of Iran." In his statement, Senator Cotton criticized the Islamic Republic's policies in the region, stating: "The [Iranian] ayatollahs have not been able to meet the basic needs of their people even after obtaining billions of dollars from the lifting of sanctions, perhaps because they have spent much of this money on their militant campaigns in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen." Cotton added: "The protests in Mashhad show that a regime with such a hatred-filled ideology cannot maintain popular support forever, and we must support the people of Iran who are willing to risk their lives to speak out against this [ideology]." The Mashhad protests, titled "No to Price Hikes," began on Thursday morning in front of the city hall, escalating into violence as law enforcement used tear gas and water cannons against the protesters. Hassan Heydari, the head of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad, stated on Thursday that 52 people were arrested during the protest. According to videos published on various Telegram channels, hundreds of participants gathered in front of the Mashhad city hall in Shohada Square, chanting slogans such as: "Death to the dictator" and "Death to Rouhani." Other slogans included: "You have made Islam a ladder and the people miserable," "Rest in peace, Reza Shah," "What a mistake I made by revolting," "Police, go catch thieves," "Not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life is for Iran," and "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together." Mashhad, Nishapur, Yazd, Kashmar, and Kermanshah are among the cities that have witnessed protests over the past two days. Senator Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas and a supporter of the U.S. President in Congress, was reportedly consulted by Donald Trump regarding Washington's new strategy towards Iran, as reported by Politico in October.