Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praises Basij forces for confronting 'riots'

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, said on Saturday that Basij militia forces sacrificed their lives in “riots” sparked by the death in custody of MahsaAmini in September.

The Basij force, which is affiliated with the country’s Revolutionary Guards, has been at the forefront of the state’s crackdown on the country’s protests. In a televised speech, Khamenei said, “They have sacrificed their lives to protect people from rioters.”