WASHINGTON: The United States government lashed out against Iran on Saturday, saying that not allowing demonstrations was hypocritical in light of the country's leaders praising of Egyptians who ended 30 years of dictatorship on Friday. In a statement from the White House, the US called on Iran to give universal rights and freedoms to its citizens. “By announcing that they will not allow opposition protests, the Iranian government has declared illegal for Iranians what it claimed was noble for Egyptians,” the statement said. “We call on the government of Iran to allow the Iranian people the universal right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate and communicate that's being exercised in Cairo.” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad congratulated Egyptians and welcomed a “new Middle East, without the Zionist regime and U.S. interference” in a speech to people gathered in Tehran's Azadi Square to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the Iranian revolution. “It is your right to be free. It is your right to exercise your will and sovereignty,” Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying. He also implied that the recent uprisings in the Middle East, notable Tunisia and Egypt's successful overthrow of long-time dictators, were inspired by Iran's struggle against Western powers. During a sermon in Tehran, Ayatollah Kazem Sadiqi congratulated both the Egyptian and Iranian nations: “The Iranian nation for its Islamic Revolution 32 years ago and the Egyptians for their enlightenment for taking inspiration from the Iranian Islamic Revolution,” the LA Time quoted him as saying. “We expect the clergymen in Egypt and the scholars… to monitor and be vigilant not to let the uprisings be deviated from the Islamic path,” he added. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi also congratulated the Egyptians. “We congratulate the great nation of Egypt on this victory and we share their happiness,” he said in a statement released to Iranian news agencies. “Today, our people in their millions, while honoring the great Islamic Revolution, showed their solidarity with the brave and justice-seeking movement in Egypt,” he added. BM
