Biden Says Iran Will Be ‘Free’ in Aside at Campaign Rally

Iranian president says country free since 1979 revolution
Biden made comment as attendees held up ‘free Iran’ signs

US President Joe Biden on Nov. 3.
Photographer: Adria Malcolm/Bloomberg

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By Akayla Gardner and Patrick Sykes

November 4, 2022 at 4:03 AM UTC

Updated on

November 4, 2022 at 3:22 PM UTC

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US President Joe Biden said that Iran would soon be “free” in a brief aside at a campaign rally, prompting a scornful reply by his Iranian counterpart.

Attendees held up “free Iran” images on Thursday as Biden was discussing his administration’s efforts to improve veterans’ care, including legislation to expand treatment of respiratory problems and cancer for people who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Biden paused and appeared to respond to the attendees.