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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), a member of the Senate’s Select Committee on Intelligence and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the presidential election in Iran:

“I stand with the Iranian people today as many Iranians go to the polls to vote in that country’s presidential election.  Those participating in the election do not have the free and fair choice they deserve to select their country’s leaders, but we look forward to the day when they can exercise their fundamental rights and not be forced to choose between carefully vetted candidates in a stage managed process.

“We are facing a key moment in U.S.-Iran relations as Iran continues to expand its nuclear program and sow violence and terror throughout its region and beyond.

“But it is important to remember that in addition to its atrocious record abroad, the Iranian regime is absolutely brutal in its treatment of the Iranian people at home.  Politically motivated violence and repression, including imprisonment without trial, are rampant.  In Iran, there is no freedom of assembly, expression, or religion.  We were unfortunately reminded of this four years ago when Iranians took to the streets in the hope of a better future, only to have their dreams quashed by beatings and gunfire, as much of the world, including the Obama administration, stood by and said and did nothing.

“I intend to work with my Senate colleagues to find ways to continue to highlight the Iranian regime’s treatment of its own people and use perhaps our greatest weapon, what President Reagan called ‘the will and moral courage of free men and women’ to work toward the day when the Iranian people will have a real opportunity to shape their country’s future.”