US congressman backs Iran protests, condemns killings

The US State Department’s Persian‑language account on X said on Monday that it was the ninth consecutive day of protests in Iranian cities, sharing a video and praising demonstrators’ “courage and determination” in standing up for their rights despite “brutal repression and savage violence.”

“Despite brutal violence and ruthless suppression, Iranians continue to stand with courage and unwavering resolve to claim their rights. Their resilience in the face of fear is a powerful cry for justice and freedom against a regime that rules through repression,” the post said.

Democratic Representative Sam Liccardo said he supports peaceful protests in Iran and the Iranian people’s fight for democracy, adding that direct US military intervention would “merely bolster support” for the current government.

“I support peaceful protests in Iran and the Iranian people’s fight for a democracy, but direct American military intervention will merely bolster support of Iranian people for the current regime,” the California House member posted on X.

Conservative MP and former home secretary Priti Patel told Parliament on Monday that Britain must stand with Iranians “fighting for freedom” and step up pressure on Tehran, including tougher sanctions and efforts to free detained Britons Lindsay and Craig Foreman.

“We stand with the brave Iranians in their fight for freedom against a terrorist‑supporting, despotic and oppressive government. Their fight for freedom must prevail. So can I ask the minister what discussions are taking place with our partners in the region over the actions that can be taken to stop the regime's cruel and barbaric acts against those campaigning for freedom,” Patel said in the address, which she posted as a video on X.

"Iran threatens our own domestic security by continuing with its nuclear weapons program, providing weapons and drones to Russia, its backing of China and repression in Hong Kong. Britain must send them a clear signal by imposing more sanctions on them, taking action to stop the sanctions busting that takes place through cryptocurrencies and other methods that facilitate and bankroll this tyrannical regime,” she added.

A video sent to Iran International shows shopkeepers in the city of Abadeh in Fars province keeping their businesses closed for a third consecutive day of strike on Monday.

The footage shows rows of shuttered stores as traders continue their walkout despite pressure from the authorities.

The UK Defence Journal reports a recent increase in US Air Force C‑17 transport flights into RAF Fairford and the arrival of two AC‑130 gunships at RAF Mildenhall, which the outlet assesses as indicating a redeployment of American special operations forces into Europe following the operation that captured Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.

According to the report, open‑source flight data and imagery suggest involvement of assets associated with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and potentially units such as the 75th Ranger Regiment and 101st Airborne Division, with RAF Fairford again serving as a key US air bridge as it did ahead of US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, though there is no indication the current movements are directly related to Iran.