Obama stands (far) behind protestors in Iran

In Iran today,

Thousands of student protesters gathered at universities in Tehran and other cities across Iran on Monday, chanting antigovernment slogans and fighting with security forces in what appeared to be the most violent street protests since the summer…The Basij [Revolutionary Guard] responded with ferocity, using copious amounts of tear gas, electrical truncheons and stun guns in an effort to disperse the crowds.

A day earlier, Iran tightened security in an apparent attempt to suppress any antigovernment rallies, arresting more than 20 mothers who were mourning children killed in the unrest that has broken out since the disputed June 12 elections.

The Obama administration offered an uncompromising weak condemnation.  State Department spokesman Ian Kelly:

…the Iranians have to know that these kinds of brutal attempts to suppress people who are trying to exercise their democratic rights – that we will continue to bear witness to it publicly.

Beleaguered reformers around the world: Obama stands behind you…far, far behind you.