US Secretary of State Blinken's remarks to a group of Iranian activists
Blinken: Good morning, everyone. We gather today as we witness a unique and unprecedented display of courage across Iran.
Women, youth, and many others stood up for the fundamental rights that the Iranian regime continues to deny them.
This is not a new issue in many ways. It has been going on for years, but after the death of Mahsa Amini and the spontaneous display of anger that followed, we are witnessing an extraordinary event across the country, led largely by women and youth.
It seems like these are fundamental rights and freedoms that the United States and other countries around the world have fought for; but most importantly, these are people who, with extraordinary courage, stood up for the rights that were denied them.
We strive to support those who have risen up to reclaim their fundamental freedoms, despite the Iranian regime's actions to deny them the ability to hold assemblies, freedom of expression, and communication with one another.
We have imposed sanctions against morality police who engage in extremely disturbing behavior.
We have tried to ensure that the people of Iran can communicate with each other and the whole world by issuing technology licenses.
But today I was very eager to hear from colleagues who were themselves present in numerous arenas and at the forefront of the struggle for freedoms and fundamental rights in Iran, and to listen to their words and learn from them.
Finally, I understand that the Iranian regime is trying to use this action and other expressions of solidarity with those who have stood up for their freedom as evidence to prove that these protests originated outside of Iran and are the work of others.
If they really believe this, then they fundamentally don't understand their people, because the issue is Iran's struggle and the Iranian people's struggle for fundamental freedoms that have long been denied them. That's the issue, and the sooner the regime can understand this and act on it, the better for everyone.
