Biden calls on Iran to ‘end the violence’ against citizens

President Joe Biden called on Iran to “end the violence against its own citizens,” in response to a deadly crackdown by security forces on protests in the country.

“We stand with the citizens and brave women of Iran,” Biden said Friday at the start of a speech in Irvine, California, on cutting health care costs. Biden acknowledged some in the crowd who wore shirts that said “Free Iran.”

Iran has been gripped by protests since early September after 22-yearold Mahsa Amini died in police custody. She had been arrested for allegedly violating the country’s strict Islamic dress codes.

“Women or men should have the right to freedom of expression and assembly,” said Biden. “Women all over the world are being persecuted in various ways. But they should be able to wear in God’s name what they want to wear, no one should be telling them what to wear.”

The Biden administration has sanctioned Iranian officials it said played a role in the crackdown.

“It’s awakened something that I don’t think will be quieted in a long, long time,” Biden said about Amini’s death and the protests.