WASHINGTON, June 15: President George W. Bush has said that the recent demonstrations in Tehran indicate the beginning of a “new and free Iran.”

“Freedom is a powerful drive for people — and it’s the beginnings of people expressing themselves toward a free Iran, which I think is positive,” said Mr. Bush while talking to reporters outside a church here on Sunday.

Earlier, the White House issued a statement expressing “great concern on the use of violence against Iranian students peacefully expressing their political views.”

“We are alarmed at reports of arrests and provocative actions taken against students by regime forces, and call upon the regime to protect the human rights of the students and to release those who have been arrested,” the statement said.

The White House said that the Iranians, like all people, had the right to determine their own destiny, and the United States supported their aspirations to live in freedom. “It is our hope that the voice of the Iranian people and their aspirations for democracy and the rule of law will be heard,” the statement said.

Iran has strongly protested against such statements from Washington, calling them interference in its internal affairs.