Clinton voices supports for Iranian protesters

In strong language Monday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came out in support of anti-government protests in Iran.

"What we're seeing in Iran today is a testament to the courage of the Iranian people," Clinton said. "Our message has been consistent and it remains the same and we wish the opposition and brave people in the streets the same opportunity that they saw their Egyptian counterparts seize in the last week."

Clinton's comments come in the wake of anti-government demonstrations in Iran, which broke out days after protesters in Egypt successfully pushed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak from office.

Since Mubarak's resignation, the Egyptian military has promised to institute key democratic reforms the protesters had been demanding. Clinton lauded the military's efforts but said the current Egyptian government still has more work to do.

"The steps [the Egyptian military] are taking now are reassuring but there's a long way to go," Clinton said. "This is a very challenging moment for the Egyptian military. I would say so far they have demonstrated a seriousness of purpose."

Protests in Tunisia and Egypt seemed to have caused a domino effect in other Middle Eastern countries. In addition to the demonstrations in Iran, there have been anti-government protests in Yemen, Jordan and Algeria.

On Sunday the State Department released a statement denouncing crackdown efforts by the Algerian government.

"We note the ongoing protests in Algeria, and call for restraint on the part of the security services," the statement read. "In addition, we reaffirm our support for the universal rights of the Algerian people, including assembly and expression."

Violence and a government crackdown have marked protests in Yemen. In Jordan, where demonstrations were more orderly, King Abdullah has responded to protesters’ demands by removing government officials and naming a new cabinet.