Does the Trump administration really care about women’s rights in Iran – or are its motives far more alarming?

US ambassador for women tells Andrew Buncombe that Washington wants to help, but critics say its actions are cynical

Women carry portraits of slain general Qasem Soleimani, killed in a US drone strike, during commemorations for the Islamic Revolution (Getty)

To the casual follower of the US state department’s Twitter feed, especially its Farsi language platform, it may appear few things create more anguish to the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, than the plight of ordinary Iranians.

Almost every day, and on some days several times, a tweet will appear denouncing the Iranian government’s alleged evil and incompetence, and voicing support for its citizens. Many appear aimed at women, including a recent tweet that showed an elaborate historic print of two women dancing during a celebration marking the longest night of summer.

“The regime does not want Iranians to remember the culture before the revolution,” it read.