During a discussion on how his administration might improve veterans’ care, especially those who have recently fought in Iraq or Afghanistan, President Joe Biden assured Democrat supporters at a Thursday rally that “we are gonna free Iran.”
Biden’s comments reportedly negate weeks of U.S. officials’ work to counter the narrative that America is steering protests in Iran.
Biden attended a Democrat rally at San Diego to support Rep. Mike Levin (D.Calif.), who is in danger of losing his seat against Republican challenger Brian Maryott.
An Iranian freedom protest was held outside the event. There was some spillover from the protesters’ sentiments into the rally. Several audience members held up signs that said “free Iran”.
The Hill reported that Biden was speaking about veterans’ health and expanding benefits for millions who were exposed to toxic chemicals while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. The president was drawn to the tangential concern of the audience members — not about the health of American veterans, but about the Iranian regime’s persecutions against women, anti-government protesters and others.
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Biden said, “Don’t worry. We are going to free Iran. They will soon be free.
One NSC spokesperson claimed that Biden was just reiterating support for Iranian protests. Bloomberg reported that Biden’s comments “undercut the carefully constructed US approach towards the protests,” which sought “to avoid the impression that they are somehow being directed by the US, as Iran’s leaders claim.”
While Biden’s comments may be dismissed by the White House soon as another “gaffe”, the we/they framing for the hypothetical Iranian liberation prompted Iran to recall past U.S.-backed they/they interventions.
Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian President, responded to Biden’s comments by saying that Iran was liberated 43 years ago. … Iran is determined to not fall into your captivity, and will never become your cash-cow.”
Raisi was making reference to the 1979 Iranian revolution when Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown. Pahlavi was installed by an internationally coordinated coup.
The CIA officially admitted to the British that it helped overthrow Mohammad Mosadegh in 1953, on August 19. NPR reported that Mosadegh indicated that he would end negotiations after years of British control over Iran’s oil.
Bombs, exclusions and sanctions
Biden was recently under pressure to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear bombs, and to hold Raisi’s government responsible for “ruthlessly shooting down its own citizens on the streets.”
Despite the fact that sanctions and diplomatic pressure have not worked in Russia lately, the Biden administration is currently trying to use them.
CNN reported that the U.S. is attempting to expel Iran from the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women following the death of a 22 year-old Iranian woman who was held captive by Iran’s “morality police”.
In light of the crackdown by the Iranian regime on protestors, the U.S. placed new sanctions on Iranian officials.
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, stated that the U.S. is committed to supporting the Iranian people as well as ensuring that those responsible in the brutal crackdown against the ongoing nationwide protests are held accountable.
