Few Democratic presidential primary candidates have criticized the Iranian regime in the wake of reports about the country’s police shooting at protesters in Tehran over the weekend.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets following Iran’s admission that its military accidentally shot down a passenger airplane outside Tehran last week.
As of Monday at noon, only former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Amy Klobuchar had publicly criticized the military action the regime is reported to have taken against its citizens.
“Trump’s reckless policies have needlessly endangered our interests in the Middle East,” Biden tweeted Sunday. “But none of us should be under any illusions about the Iranian regime, and the Iranian people — like all people everywhere — have the right to peaceful protest. The world should support them.”
[Video: Iranian police fire live rounds at demonstrators protesting plane shootdown]
Trump’s reckless policies have needlessly endangered our interests in the Middle East. But none of us should be under any illusions about the Iranian regime, and the Iranian people — like all people everywhere — have the right to peaceful protest. The world should support them.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 12, 2020
Klobuchar also advocated for the free speech of critics of the regime.
“People should have the right to peacefully protest in any country, including Iran,” she tweeted.
People should have the right to peacefully protest in any country, including Iran.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 13, 2020
Other presidential hopefuls spent the weekend criticizing President Trump for what they say is the needless escalation of killing the country’s top military leader and announcing new punitive sanctions.
“The Constitution is very clear: It is Congress, not the president, who decides when we go to war,” Sen. Bernie Sanders said. “Congress must do everything it can to prevent war with Iran.”
“Donald Trump’s first concern on national security issues is not the security of the United States,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted. “It’s Donald Trump’s own political skin. This is reckless and we must speak out.”
Donald Trump’s first concern on national security issues is not the security of the United States. It’s Donald Trump’s own political skin. This is reckless and we must speak out. #NoWarWithIran pic.twitter.com/CzOXqS58LO
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 10, 2020
Trump slammed the Iranian regime for trying to hide the civil unrest brewing within its borders.
“To the leaders of Iran – DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS,” Trump tweeted Sunday. “Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching.”
To the leaders of Iran – DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020
The first Democratic debate of 2020 is at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
