Lethal ‘Black-Clad’ Elite Kill Squad Deployed to Protect Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
Iran has reportedly moved swiftly to tighten security around its newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, by deploying one of the country’s most feared elite counterterrorism units in the wake of the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei.
The highly trained force, known as NOPO Iran’s black-clad Counterterrorism Special Force, has reportedly been tasked with protecting the new leader following the dramatic killing of the former supreme leader during a joint U.S.-Israel strike on a Tehran compound on February 28. The attack occurred at the start of the military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, a conflict that has since intensified tensions across the region.
Security analysts say the deployment signals the Iranian regime’s determination to safeguard its leadership during one of the most volatile periods in the country’s modern history.
Elite Unit Assigned to Guard the New Leader
According to Ali Safavi, an official with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran, the elite unit has now shifted its focus to protecting Mojtaba Khamenei.
“With Khamenei gone, NOPO will likely now be protecting Mojtaba Khamenei,” Safavi explained.
The unit, originally formed in 1991, traces its origins to the 28th Ruhollah Division, named after Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Initially established for high-risk counterterrorism missions, the force specialized in hostage rescue operations and rapid response to security threats.
However, over the years, NOPO has expanded its responsibilities beyond counterterrorism to include safeguarding the regime’s most powerful figures and confronting internal security challenges.
Rise of Iran’s Third Supreme Leader
The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic was confirmed on March 8, 2026, by the Assembly of Experts, the powerful clerical body responsible for selecting the country’s top religious and political authority.
His elevation comes amid a dramatic geopolitical crisis, as Iran continues to face a growing military confrontation with the United States and Israel. Despite his historic appointment, Mojtaba Khamenei has not made a public appearance since the conflict began.
Unconfirmed reports from Israeli media outlets have suggested that he may have been injured during the ongoing hostilities, though Iranian authorities have yet to verify the claims.
A Highly Specialized Security Force
The NOPO unit, an acronym derived from the Farsi name Nirouyeh Vijeh Pasdaran Velayat, has evolved into one of Iran’s most specialized and secretive security forces.
While often associated with the broader Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the unit operates as a distinct and highly trained entity focused on elite operations and the protection of the regime’s leadership.
According to Safavi, the force consists of six brigades in total. Four are stationed in the capital, Tehran, while the remaining two are based in Mashhad and Isfahan.
Observers describe the unit as one of the most disciplined and formidable forces within Iran’s security structure.
“They are far more lethal, ruthless and well-trained than the IRGC,” Safavi claimed, emphasizing that the unit’s loyalty lies directly with the Supreme Leader.
Role in Internal Security and Protest Suppression
Beyond personal protection duties, NOPO has frequently been deployed during periods of domestic unrest.
Reports suggest the force has been involved in suppressing protests and enforcing security measures during times of national crisis. Safavi alleged that members of the unit have previously been used to confront demonstrators, particularly during large-scale uprisings.
Recent developments indicate that hundreds of NOPO personnel have also been deployed to reinforce security around prisons holding political detainees across the country.
Security presence has reportedly increased around facilities such as Ghezel Hesar Prison, where tensions escalated following a bombing near Mahabad Prison earlier in March.
According to statements from the National Council of Resistance of Iran, prisoners locked inside their wards reportedly protested by setting fire to blankets and demanding release amid wartime conditions. Authorities allegedly responded by firing tear gas into the prison wards to restore order.
In another development, the elite unit is also believed to have taken control of security operations at Evin Prison in Tehran after regular prison officials reportedly fled during intensified military tensions.
Read also Iranians Divided Over Mojtaba Khamenei’s Rise as New Supreme Leader
Sanctions and International Scrutiny
The activities of the NOPO force have also drawn international scrutiny in recent years. In 2021, the United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on the unit, accusing it of committing serious human rights abuses against Iranian citizens and residents.
Despite the criticism, the unit remains a central pillar of Iran’s internal security apparatus, and now, with a new supreme leader in power, its role in protecting the country’s highest authority appears more critical than ever.
As Iran navigates a turbulent political and military landscape, the deployment of this elite black-clad force underscores the regime’s heightened security concerns and the high-stakes environment surrounding the rise of Mojtaba Khamenei.
