U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo encouraged dislocated Iranians to stand with anti-regime protesters and dissidents in Iran who are fighting against the authoritarian government and its abuses, and he said the United States supports the people of Iran during a speech entitled “Supporting Iranian Voices” over the weekend.
“Sometimes it seems the world has become desensitized to the regime’s authoritarianism at home and its campaigns of violence abroad, but the proud Iranian people are not staying silent about their government’s many abuses,” Pompeo said in his speech, which can be read here.
“And the United States under President Trump will not stay silent either,” he added. “In light of these protests and 40 years of regime tyranny, I have a message for the people of Iran: The United States hears you; the United States supports you; the United States is with you.”
“In light of these protests and 40 years of regime tyranny, I have a message for the people of Iran: The United States hears you. The United States supports you. The United States is with you.” @SecPompeo @WashTimes #Iran https://t.co/4jrQkmdmfT
— FRC (@FRCdc) July 23, 2018
Pompeo spoke to a crowd of approximately 1,000 comprised of mostly Iranians and Iranian-Americans at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library in Simi Valley, Calif. Approximately 250,000 Iranian-Americans reside in the southern California region.
His address was aimed at exposing rampant corruption in the Iranian government, which has prioritized radical ideologies over Iranian citizens.
“I recognize the Iranian diaspora is diverse. There are many faith backgrounds and many different walks of life, and that’s a good thing, and not all Iranian Americans see things the same way. But I think everyone can agree that the regime in Iran has been a nightmare for the Iranian people, and it is important that your unity on that point is not diminished by differences elsewhere,” Pompeo said.
He added: “To our … Iranian-American friends, tonight I want to tell you that the Trump Administration dreams the same dreams for the people of Iran as you do, and through our labors and God’s providence that day will come true.”
The State Department has said Pompeo will support “the legitimate demands of the Iranian people, especially their economic demands for a better life,” the Times of Israel recently reported.
“We hope that the successes of Goli and Susan and Makan and the many others American – Iranian Americans among the diaspora in the United States remind all Iranians of what is possible under a government that respects its people and governs with accountability. Iranians should not have to flee their homeland to find a better life,” Pompeo said.
“The specific grievances do differ, but all those voicing dissatisfaction share one thing: They have been ill-treated by a revolutionary regime. Iranians want to be governed with dignity, accountability, and respect,” he added.
Sec. Pompeo:
“The specific grievances do differ but all those voicing dissatisfaction share one thing; they have been ill-treated by a revolutionary regime. Iranians want to be governed with dignity, accountability and respect.”#Iran#IranRegimeChange pic.twitter.com/iCtl2s7Vnz— P.M.O.I (@Mojahedineng) July 23, 2018
Protests in Iran have spread since late last year, resulting in tens of thousands demanding a regime change.
“The regime’s brutal response to these peaceful protests reflects the intolerance that its revolutionary worldview has produced.” He added that the Iranian government “has for decades heartlessly repressed its own people’s human rights, dignity, and fundamental freedoms,” Pompeo said.
“While it is ultimately up to the Iranian people to determine the direction of their country, the United States, in the spirit of our own freedoms, will support the long-ignored voice of the Iranian people,” he added. “Our hope is that ultimately the regime will make meaningful changes in its behavior both inside of Iran and globally. As President Trump has said, we’re willing to talk with the regime in Iran, but relief from American pressure will come only when we see tangible, demonstrated, and sustained shifts in Tehran’s policies.”
