US says closely watching Iran’s response to protests - Fox News

Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar praised protesters in Venezuela and Iran, saying the world is “fed up with extreme regimes” and predicting that 2026 will be a “year of liberation.”​

“The world is FED UP with extreme regimes. Peoples rise and tyrants tremble. Venezuela is on the road to FREEDOM. And the brave people of Iran fight for a free and dignified nation. 2026 will be the YEAR OF LIBERATION,” Salazar posted on X.

US Senator John Fetterman called for solidarity with anti‑government protesters in Iran, accusing the authorities of cutting internet access and urging Washington and Israel to intensify pressure on Tehran’s leadership.

“We should all stand with those brave Iranian protesters. Leadership is so desperate, they’ve pulled the internet. We must build on the success America and Israel created that breaks Iran’s evil regime,” the Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania posted on X on Thursday.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning Iran's crackdown on protesters since December 28, saying security forces have used unlawful force, firearms, and mass arbitrary arrests to disperse, intimidate, and punish largely peaceful demonstrators.

The rights groups said security forces, including Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and police force known as FARAJA, have unlawfully used rifles, shotguns loaded with metal pellets, water cannons, tear gas, and beatings.

According to the groups, the crackdown has resulted in at least 28 protester deaths and bystanders, including children, in 13 cities across eight provinces between December 28 and January 3, 2026.

Exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi thanked President Trump on Thursday for reiterating his promise to hold Iran's regime to account, as millions of Iranians demanded their freedom and the government cut all lines of communication.

"Millions of Iranians demanded their freedom tonight. In response, the regime in Iran has cut all lines of communication. It has shut down the Internet. It has cut landlines. It may even attempt to jam satellite signals," Pahlavi posted on X.

"I call on them to use all technical, financial, and diplomatic resources available to restore communication to the Iranian people so that their voice and their will can be heard and seen. Do not let the voices of my courageous compatriots be silenced," he added.

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger criticized Iran's brutal crackdown on peaceful protests, urged government to uphold UN human rights obligations.

"As a member of the United Nations, Iran is obligated to protect human rights. Therefore, I strongly condemn the brutal response of the state security forces to peaceful demonstrations," Austrian Foreign Minister posted on Thursday on X.

"The Austrian Foreign Ministry has today clearly and unequivocally called on the Iranian government to fulfill its international obligations," she added.