Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the Iranian regime over its deadly handling of anti-government protests after a startling period of silence on the growing crisis in the Middle East that caught the attention of critics.
“I absolutely do not support the way the Iranian government has responded to that,” Mamdani said while taking off-topic questions during a Thursday evening press conference.
“I think that the Iranian government and every government should respect the right of people to express their political opinions and for people to be able to do so safely,” Mamdani told reporters.
Mamdani speaks at a press conference Tuesday night at Laguardia airport. William Miller
Many Mamdani naysayers questioned his tardy response to the protests in Iran, pointing out that the mayor has been notoriously vocal in his support for Palestinians affected by the Israel-Hamas war.
In December, he vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in New York City, which falls in line with a warrant out for his arrest as issued by the International Criminal Court.
“Has Mamdani said anything in support for the people of Iran? How about any of his “advisors?” Just asking,” one user wrote on X.
“Is Mamdani monitoring the situation in Iran?” another mocked.
Mamdani condemned the Iranian regime’s garish abuse of protesters. MEK/The Media Express/SIPA/Shutterstock
“Is anyone really surprised by his lack of comments to date? He will reluctantly make statements like this only when it is absolutely necessary to keep the mast from fully coming off,” another user added.
Iranian civil rights groups claim that upwards of 2,000 people have been killed in the anti-government unrest that flared up over the country’s ailing economy.
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President Trump has warned the US would intervene in Iran if the regime started to execute protesters and has promised the Iranian people that “help is on its way.”
Trump didn’t specify what exactly the “help” he alluded to would look like and told reporters “you’re going to have to figure that one out.”
Iranian civil rights groups claim that nearly 2,000 people have been killed as a result of the demonstrations that have flared up across the country. UGC/AFP via Getty Images
On Monday, Trump declared a trade embargo on Iran and a 25% tariff on any country that fails to sever economic ties with the regime.
The current protests in Iran are matching levels of violence not seen since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, where the people overthrew pro-American Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and ushered Ayatollah Khomeini to power.
A German chancellor eerily predicted that the regime is nearing its “final days and weeks.”