Referring to protests following increased food prices in Iran, a U.S. diplomatic spokesperson remarked that “the Iranian people have a right to hold their government accountable. We support their rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression online and offline - without fear of violence and reprisal”. The next day, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson contended that “such an over-rejoicing of the U.S. government is indicative of the fact that the approach the Iranian government has adopted… worried the Americans”.