The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has issued an apology for a social media post that referred to Iranians as “victims” of a U.S. bombing raid targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. The post, shared on X, Facebook, and Instagram, stated, “Our hearts go out to the victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran.” This message sparked a swift online backlash, leading to its deletion and a subsequent apology from the department.
The department described the original post as “offensive and inappropriate,” clarifying that it was made in error and did not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert Luna or the department. The apology emphasized that the department does not comment on foreign policy or military matters, focusing instead on public safety and community service.
According to The Guardian, the department is home to a significant population of Iranian Americans, numbering around 400,000. The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding the U.S. military involvement in Iran, especially in a community with deep ties to the region.
The department announced an internal review to understand how the language was included in the post. It also pledged to strengthen social media oversight protocols to prevent similar incidents. KTLA reported that the department is increasing patrol checks at places of worship and other sensitive locations throughout the county as a precautionary measure, despite no known threats to Los Angeles County.
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