Sen. John McCain (file photo)U.S. Senator John McCain Saturday repeated his party's calls forstronger support of Iran's protesters from the U.S. government.

Speakingon behalf of the Republican party for the weekly radio and Internetaddress, McCain said "we stand with" the Iranians who are protesting adisputed presidential election in the face of a heavy governmentcrackdown.

He said the Iranians ask for nothing besides"public declarations of solidarity, and public denunciations of thetyrants who oppress them," and he said the United States has a "moralobligation" to do so.

The Republicans have criticized Mr.Obama for not taking a stronger stand on the events in Iran.  But Mr.Obama has said the U.S. respects the sovereignty of Iran, and is notinterfering in its internal affairs.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.