Biden: US to Impose Greater Costs on Those Suppressing Iran Protests
Joe Biden, the President of the United States, warned on Monday that Washington would impose “greater costs” on the Islamic Republic in response to the violent suppression of “peaceful protests” in Iran.
President Biden expressed serious concern in a statement regarding “reports of violent suppression of peaceful protests in Iran,” saying: “The United States stands with Iranian women and all Iranian citizens who have inspired the world with their courage.”
Following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old girl, in the custody of the Guidance Patrol (morality police), Iran has witnessed nationwide protests that have been met with suppression by government forces.
According to statistics from Iran Human Rights Organization, based in Oslo, the death toll from suppressions over the past two weeks has reached 133 people. During this period, security personnel of the Islamic Republic have arrested hundreds of civil activists, political activists, students, journalists, and lawyers.
Joe Biden said in his statement: “This week, the United States will impose greater costs on those responsible for violence against [Iranian people’s] peaceful protests. We will continue our efforts to hold Iranian officials accountable and support Iranians’ right to protest freely.”
However, the U.S. President did not specify in his statement what measures he intends to take against those responsible for and ordering the suppression of popular protests in Iran. Nevertheless, he promised that Washington is working to provide easier and safer internet access for the Iranian people.
Hours before this, the White House spokesperson had strongly condemned the widespread suppression of peaceful protests in Iran by security forces.
Karine Jean-Pierre, referring to Sunday night’s suppression at Sharif University of Technology, said: “We are alarmed and appalled by reports of violent suppression and mass arrests of students at peaceful protests; students are rightfully concerned about the Islamic Republic’s treatment of women, girls, and violent suppression of popular protests.”
Forces known as plainclothes officers in Iran, on Sunday, raided protesting students at Tehran’s Sharif University, injuring many and transferring dozens of students via security agency vans to undisclosed locations.
Source: Radio Farda
