Photo: Mehr News Agency

Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam, Iran’s Chief of Police, said today (February 3) that the “enemy’s new plan for the [upcoming] presidential election is to create tension domestically through increasing economic pressure.”

Referring to the crackdown on Iran’s 2009 post-election unrest, Ahmadi Moghaddam praised the police reaction to what he called “sedition.” Iranian Authorities have frequently used this term to refer to the 2009 post-election demonstrations.

Chief Moghaddam added that a special police force will be launched ahead of Iran’s upcoming presidential election in June. As next presidential election approaches, authorities like Moghaddam are preparing for potential protests. Some hardliners have warned against what they call the possibility of a second “sedition.”

Election Timeline Updated