Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei urges more AI and technology for police in National Police Week message

Mixed · 2Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a written message on Friday 9 October marking National Police Week. 1 2 Mixed · 2The message called for a comprehensive strengthening of the forces responsible for security, in human resources, hardware and software, "particularly through the advancement of technology, such as the purposeful use of artificial intelligence in data analysis". 1 2 Right · 1According to the message, quoted by Breitbart, police service is "a form of jihad on the path of God" that enjoys strong social support, and the police are "one of the firm pillars of the country's security". 2

Centre · 1The National reports that the message praised security forces for maintaining order despite repeated US and Israeli attacks, and accused the US and Israel of deliberately targeting police commanders and personnel, though it said the attacks had failed to undermine the forces' ability to carry out their missions. 1 Right · 1Breitbart says the message also referred to "desperate efforts and malicious attacks" from within, which it interprets as a reference to the protests earlier this year; this reading is the outlet's own inference. 2 Centre · 1The National places the call within Iran's wider AI push: it says it reported late last year that Iran planned to use AI in its armed forces and security apparatus, that the Revolutionary Guards said last year they were using AI in domestically developed drones, and that an official strategy aims to put Iran among the world's top 10 AI powers by 2032, with AI contributing 12 per cent of GDP. 1

Centre · 1The National also notes that the US has used AI in its war against Iran, citing US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper, who said a human always makes the final strike decision. It adds that the US bombing of an elementary school in Minab on the first day of the war killed more than 150 people and raised questions about AI's role, and that a Bloomberg report in September said overreliance on AI tools and outdated intelligence contributed; the Pentagon's full findings have not been made public. 1 Right · 1Breitbart describes the police as including the "morality police" and recalls US Treasury sanctions on Iranian police leadership after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini. It says police responded violently to protests that began in December 2025, that Iran acknowledged in January at least 5,000 deaths while blaming protesters, and that dissident groups claim more than 10,000. 2 Right · 1Breitbart also says Khamenei has not been seen in public, on camera or heard in audio or video since being named leader in March, which has fuelled rumours about the leader's health; it describes the statement as "allegedly written" by Khamenei and does not say any of these rumours are confirmed. 2

Centre · 1The National places the message against a regional war that it says began when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February. 1