A group of diaspora Iranians and two advocacy groups released “an open letter” to the Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden Monday appealing to him to take steps against Iran’s “human rights violation” and “global terrorism networks”.

The Constitutional Party of Iran and Iranian Americans for Liberty (IAL) are two advocacy groups leading the initiative calling on Biden to “open dialogue with the Iranian American community” over the behavior of the Islamic Republic and its “suppression of basic civil rights of the Iranian people”.

Many Iranians who are opposed to the Islamic Republic and seek a regime change have been content with President Donald Trump’s tough stance against Tehran. But with presidential elections approaching in November, some fear a Biden victory could change U.S. policy to a more conciliatory approach toward Iran.

“The world has long viewed the United States as a beacon of freedom and an advocate of the oppressed and the marginalized. The United States government has a moral obligation to protect and promote human rights in the face of violators anywhere and anytime. We strongly urge the U.S. to hold the Islamic Republic accountable and send a clear message that violations of basic human rights will not be tolerated.,” an official of the Constitutionalist Party of Iran said in a statement.

The letter appeals to Biden for “Engagement and dialogue with the Iranian-American community to form a multi-faceted comprehensive approach in dealing with the Islamic Republic regime.”

The signatories also ask for bipartisan support in confronting cyber threats from Iran against the United States.

The letter also urges “Robust financial counterterrorism measures against the Islamic Republic’s funding of Hezbollah, the Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Dictator Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela”.