Iran Deploys Elite NOPO Force to Protect New Supreme Leader Amid Ongoing Conflict
In a significant security development, Iran has reportedly deployed its elite counterterrorism unit, known as NOPO, to protect newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. This move comes directly after the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei, during a US-Israeli military strike on a Tehran compound on February 28. The operation, part of the campaign dubbed Operation Epic Fury, marked the beginning of heightened hostilities in the region.
What is the NOPO Force?
NOPO stands as the Farsi acronym for Nirouyeh Vijeh Pasdaran Velayat, which translates roughly to a special force tasked with protecting the regime. According to Ali Safavi, an official with the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran, this unit was established in 1991 and evolved from the 28th Ruhollah Division, named after Ruhollah Khomeini. The force is relatively small but highly specialized, consisting of six brigades—four stationed in Tehran and others based in Mashhad and Isfahan.
Safavi describes NOPO as "far more lethal, ruthless and well-trained" than regular elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Originally created for hostage rescue missions, it has since been deployed to handle internal security threats and suppress anti-government protests. In recent days, some members have been involved in security crackdowns to prevent unrest across Iran, with Safavi noting that the force has previously opened fire on demonstrators during uprisings.
Protection Amid War and Uncertainty
The deployment follows Iran’s Assembly of Experts naming Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s third supreme leader on March 8, after his father’s assassination. However, the new leader has not appeared publicly since his appointment. Officials, as reported by news agency AFP, stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the initial strike but remains "safe and sound." Analysts believe he is likely staying in a highly secure location to avoid becoming a target in the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Security deployments have expanded across the country, with Fox News reporting that hundreds of NOPO personnel have been stationed around prisons holding political detainees, including the high-security Evin Prison. This move aims to prevent unrest during the war, which has entered its 12th day with the US and Israel unleashing what are described as "heaviest strikes" on Iran, as Tehran rules out a ceasefire.
International Criticism and Future Role
The elite NOPO force has faced international scrutiny, particularly from the United States. In 2021, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on NOPO over what it described as "serious human rights abuses" against Iranian citizens. With Mojtaba Khamenei now the primary target in the ongoing conflict, analysts assert that this highly trained unit is likely to remain central to the regime’s efforts to protect its leadership.
As the Middle East war intensifies, Iran has issued warnings to US tech firms, including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia, labeling them as "legitimate targets." Meanwhile, Iran claims it targeted an Israeli military intelligence and naval base, with fresh explosions reported in Dubai. The situation remains volatile, with NOPO’s role becoming increasingly critical in safeguarding the new supreme leader amid widespread uncertainty and escalating tensions.
