U.S. President Joe Biden stated that he is "astonished" by the mass protests that represent the largest wave of demonstrations in years, calling on Iran to stop the violence against its citizens. Biden added during a speech at a college in Irvine, California: "I want you to know that we stand with the citizens, and with the brave women of Iran." He continued: "I am astonished by what the protests in Iran have awakened. They have awakened something that I don't believe will be silenced for a long, long time."