US State Secretary Clinton calls Iranian regime 'hypocritical,' backs anti-government protests

WASHINGTON, D.C.: As thousands of anti-government protesters gathered in Iran on Monday, where local reports say one person was shot dead, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "directly" supported the protests, describing the Iranian regime as "hypocritical."

"Let me very clearly and directly support the aspirations of the people who are in the streets in Iran today," Clinton stated, emphasizing that the U.S.: regarding the situation in Egypt: was against violence, supported the universal human rights of Egypt, and stood for political change with positive outcomes.

The Secretary of State said the U.S. maintains the same stance for Iran. "They deserve to have the same rights that they saw being played out in Egypt and that are part of their own birthright," Clinton said.

"What we see happening in Iran today is a testament to the courage of the Iranian people," Clinton stated, adding that it an "indictment of the hypocrisy of the Iranian regime, a regime which over the last three weeks has constantly hailed what went on in Egypt, and now, when given the opportunity to afford their people the same rights as they called for on behalf of the Egyptian people, once again illustrate their true nature."

Clinton also stated that "there had to be change in the Arab world," again regarding to the situation in Egypt, emphasizing that the changes "must be in response to the Egyptian people's desires."

Likewise, Clinton underlined that "there needs to be a commitment to open up the political system in Iran, to hear the voices of the opposition and civil society."

No official report has been released on Monday's protests but while Iran's Fars news agency reported that one person was shot dead, an undetermined amount of people have been injured and arrested during the protests.

(BNO NEWS )