What happened
Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has released a written message to mark National Police Week, praising the country's police force for their role in maintaining social order. The message described being part of the police force as a form of jihad and deserving of praise, similar to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Armed Forces.
Khamenei's message also acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by the country, including desperate efforts and malicious attacks from within, likely referring to the protests that took place earlier in the year. The statement emphasized the importance of ensuring security and praised the police force for their valor and courage.
The Iranian police force, including the notorious morality police, has been criticized for its repressive actions, particularly against women. The US government has imposed sanctions on the Iranian police forces and their leadership in recent years.
Khamenei's message did not address his current status, which has been the subject of speculation since he was announced as the leader of the country in March and has not been seen in public since. The Iranian regime has faced widespread protests and unrest in recent years, with thousands of people killed or arrested by the police.
