Sen. John McCain (file photo)

U.S. Senator John McCain Saturday repeated his party's calls for stronger support of Iran's protesters from the U.S. government.

Speaking on behalf of the Republican party for the weekly radio and Internet address, McCain said "we stand with" the Iranians who are protesting a disputed presidential election in the face of a heavy government crackdown.

He said the Iranians ask for nothing besides "public declarations of solidarity, and public denunciations of the tyrants who oppress them," and he said the United States has a "moral obligation" 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 not interfering in its internal affairs.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.