Kyl says Obama has lacked 'moral fortitude' on Iran

President Barack Obama lacks "moral fortitude" on the world stage when it comes to Iran, the Senate's second-ranking Republican asserted Monday.

Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) blasted Obama for not having more forcefully supported democracy demonstrators in Iran in the wake of that country's presidential election, and during demonstrations this week on the 30th anniversary of the Iranian takeover of a U.S. embassy.

"This past June, when pro-democracy rallies broke out in Iran following a fraudulent election, I hoped that the current administration would follow President Reagan’s example of American leadership and offer strong support for the Iranians who took to the streets and risked their lives to oppose a tyrannical regime," Kyl wrote in an op-ed for the National Leader website.

Kyl went on to say that "The president’s statement expressing 'deep concerns about the election' lacked the moral fortitude the world has come to expect from America, the world’s standard bearer of freedom and democracy."

The GOP leader urged Obama to summon the legacy of President Ronald Reagan, whose work against the Soviet Union should have been the template for Obama's treatment of Iran, Kyl wrote.

The Arizona Republican also argued that the president missed another opportunity to showcase U.S. leadership on Iran in the face of new protests.

"Iranians have renewed their protests against the regime, this time to mark the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran," he said. "The White House again failed to use the opportunity to make the moral case for freedom over totalitarian oppression."

"I believe the president should stand with democracy and use this opportunity to underline the moral failings of Iran’s dictatorship," Kyl added.

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