Iran
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From: Montana
The same can be compared to protecting free movement through in both the Suez and Panama Canals.
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How well can a counterterrorism unit protect the leader from air attacks? This little profile is on the special military units (seem to be in the elite class of military units) whose mission included personal security for the Leader/Ayatollah.
There are more than a few of them, if NCRI has good inside info.
An elite counterterrorism unit has been deployed to protect Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei...The force, known as NOPO — Iran’s black-clad Counterterrorism Special Force — was assigned to safeguard the leader after a U.S.-Israel strike on a Tehran compound on Feb. 28 killed the elder Khamenei amid the start of Operation Epic Fury. "With Khamenei gone, NOPO will now be protecting Mojtaba Khamenei," Ali Safavi, an official with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran, or NCRI said.
The force, formed in 1991, was initially the "nucleus" of the IRGC’s 28th Ruhollah (Khomeini’s first name) Division, according to Safavi, and typically handles hostage rescue operations. The history of the unit also includes deployments against internal security threats, and it has often been called on to suppress protests.
"NOPO is the Farsi acronym for Nirouyeh Vijeh Pasdaran Velayat, which translates into the Special Force to Protect the Supreme Leader," Safavi further explained. Over time, NOPO has evolved into a highly specialized unit distinct from the broader Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the military branch established in 1979 to defend the Islamic Republic and its leadership from internal and external threats.
"The NOPO is composed of six brigades only. Four are stationed in Tehran, one in Mashhad and one in Isfahan," Safavi said. "They are far more lethal, ruthless and well-trained than the IRGC," he claimed before describing how the brigade’s loyalty was exclusively to the Supreme Leader. "This force was only used for the protection of Khamenei," Safavi continued. "They are very well equipped. Khamenei did not trust any other security force for his protection."
Safavi also said some members of the unit were killed in Ali Khamenei's assassination but that the force remains fully operational.
"Some of the NOPO were killed when Khamenei was killed, but the fact is that they are now involved in the suppressive and security measures the regime has also undertaken in recent days to prevent any outbreak of protests," Safavi said.
The elite force’s activities extend beyond personal protection in times of crisis, Safavi added. "But in times of crisis, such as what happened during the January uprising, they were heavily involved in opening fire on the protesters," he said.
This comes amid reports that hundreds of NOPO members have also been widely deployed around prisons in Iran that are holding political detainees. "Hundreds of suppressive forces are widely deployed around the prison. In Ghezel Hesar Prison," the NCRI said in a statement.
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following the bombing of a military center near Mahabad Prison, prisoners whose ward doors had been locked protested and set fire to their blankets, demanding their release under wartime conditions.
"Suppressive forces responded by firing tear gas into the ward," the NCRI reported.
The force, formed in 1991, was initially the "nucleus" of the IRGC’s 28th Ruhollah (Khomeini’s first name) Division, according to Safavi, and typically handles hostage rescue operations. The history of the unit also includes deployments against internal security threats, and it has often been called on to suppress protests.
"NOPO is the Farsi acronym for Nirouyeh Vijeh Pasdaran Velayat, which translates into the Special Force to Protect the Supreme Leader," Safavi further explained. Over time, NOPO has evolved into a highly specialized unit distinct from the broader Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the military branch established in 1979 to defend the Islamic Republic and its leadership from internal and external threats.
"The NOPO is composed of six brigades only. Four are stationed in Tehran, one in Mashhad and one in Isfahan," Safavi said. "They are far more lethal, ruthless and well-trained than the IRGC," he claimed before describing how the brigade’s loyalty was exclusively to the Supreme Leader. "This force was only used for the protection of Khamenei," Safavi continued. "They are very well equipped. Khamenei did not trust any other security force for his protection."
Safavi also said some members of the unit were killed in Ali Khamenei's assassination but that the force remains fully operational.
"Some of the NOPO were killed when Khamenei was killed, but the fact is that they are now involved in the suppressive and security measures the regime has also undertaken in recent days to prevent any outbreak of protests," Safavi said.
The elite force’s activities extend beyond personal protection in times of crisis, Safavi added. "But in times of crisis, such as what happened during the January uprising, they were heavily involved in opening fire on the protesters," he said.
This comes amid reports that hundreds of NOPO members have also been widely deployed around prisons in Iran that are holding political detainees. "Hundreds of suppressive forces are widely deployed around the prison. In Ghezel Hesar Prison," the NCRI said in a statement.
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following the bombing of a military center near Mahabad Prison, prisoners whose ward doors had been locked protested and set fire to their blankets, demanding their release under wartime conditions.
"Suppressive forces responded by firing tear gas into the ward," the NCRI reported.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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Over 42 million account holders…..
Jerusalem_Post: The data center of Bank Sepah, Iran’s largest bank responsible for paying salaries to members of the Iranian military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been hit.
This is potentially massive. Here's why the Bank Sepah data center hit matters far beyond delayed paychecks:
1/ Iran is already in the middle of a severe cash liquidity crisis. As of Jan 2026, banks were running out of physical banknotes daily, with informal withdrawal caps of just $18–$30/day. Cash in circulation surged 49% YoY due to panic hoarding. The regime simply cannot pivot to cash payments, there isn't enough physical currency in the system.
2/ Bank Sepah isn't just "a bank." In 2019-2020, five IRGC/Basij-affiliated banks, Ansar Bank, Mehr Eqtesad Bank (IRGC), Ghavamin Bank (police), Hekmat Iranian Bank, and Kosar Credit Institution (defense ministry), were all merged into Bank Sepah. Their ~1,800 branches still operate nationwide. This strike cripples the IRGC's consolidated financial backbone.
3/ Bank Sepah maintains foreign branches in Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, and a wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank Sepah International plc in London. This disruption may cut access between Tehran HQ and those foreign operations, presenting a unique window for host governments to freeze operations and for staff to defect.
4/ Mid and low-level IRGC and Basij forces depend on government salaries. If they don't get paid, their willingness to brutally suppress protesters, as they did in the Jan 2026 crackdown killing thousands, is seriously undermined. Unpaid security forces are unreliable security forces.
5/ BUT; the senior IRGC leadership doesn't rely on salaries. The IRGC controls an estimated $30–$50 billion in annual economic turnover across oil, construction, telecom, agriculture, and smuggling. Their budget just tripled to $12.4B in direct oil revenue. IRGC-affiliated foundations account for over half of Iran's GDP.
6/ So while hitting Bank Sepah disrupts the regime's ability to pay its foot soldiers, the IRGC's hands must be cut from across Iran's entire economy — their construction monopolies (Khatam al-Anbiya), their crypto operations ($3B+ in 2025), their smuggling networks, and their shadow banking. Sanctions must target the empire, not just the salary line.
1/ Iran is already in the middle of a severe cash liquidity crisis. As of Jan 2026, banks were running out of physical banknotes daily, with informal withdrawal caps of just $18–$30/day. Cash in circulation surged 49% YoY due to panic hoarding. The regime simply cannot pivot to cash payments, there isn't enough physical currency in the system.
2/ Bank Sepah isn't just "a bank." In 2019-2020, five IRGC/Basij-affiliated banks, Ansar Bank, Mehr Eqtesad Bank (IRGC), Ghavamin Bank (police), Hekmat Iranian Bank, and Kosar Credit Institution (defense ministry), were all merged into Bank Sepah. Their ~1,800 branches still operate nationwide. This strike cripples the IRGC's consolidated financial backbone.
3/ Bank Sepah maintains foreign branches in Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, and a wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank Sepah International plc in London. This disruption may cut access between Tehran HQ and those foreign operations, presenting a unique window for host governments to freeze operations and for staff to defect.
4/ Mid and low-level IRGC and Basij forces depend on government salaries. If they don't get paid, their willingness to brutally suppress protesters, as they did in the Jan 2026 crackdown killing thousands, is seriously undermined. Unpaid security forces are unreliable security forces.
5/ BUT; the senior IRGC leadership doesn't rely on salaries. The IRGC controls an estimated $30–$50 billion in annual economic turnover across oil, construction, telecom, agriculture, and smuggling. Their budget just tripled to $12.4B in direct oil revenue. IRGC-affiliated foundations account for over half of Iran's GDP.
6/ So while hitting Bank Sepah disrupts the regime's ability to pay its foot soldiers, the IRGC's hands must be cut from across Iran's entire economy — their construction monopolies (Khatam al-Anbiya), their crypto operations ($3B+ in 2025), their smuggling networks, and their shadow banking. Sanctions must target the empire, not just the salary line.
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From: London
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From: Montana
So what's the plan? Create some sort of DMZ down the northern periphery of the Straits? That's a whole magnitude of order more challenging than the current "mission", whatever it is (its ironic how all the talk about enriched uranium and ballistic missiles seem to be have been demoted to a footnote).
Interestingly Matt Whittaker, the NATO Ambassador, was on Fox a few minutes ago talking about how China may become part of the "free flow" Multi-National enforcement group.
I'll find the clip when it comes up and post it.
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From: 3rd Rock, #29B
And Oman was the closest thing to a neutral arbiter that existed. Can't imagine the Sultan being impressed by that level of rather impolite behaviour by his northern neighbour.
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From: Falling off the end of the thread
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From: Near the coast
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There are already a number of pipelines running across the Empty Quarter to Yanbu on the Red Sea. In my time they carried crude to refineries in the industrial area of the city.
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Interestingly Matt Whittaker, the NATO Ambassador, was on Fox a few minutes ago talking about how China may become part of the "free flow" Multi-National enforcement group.
I cannot understand why Saudi does not run a pipeline to the Red Sea and bypass it all.
Earlier today Iranian drones struck Oman’s largest oil storage facilities at the Port of Salalah in Oman.
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From: Falling off the end of the thread
I'd keep a close eye on the small print if this does come to pass. Would the Chinese really undermine Iran's primary source of leverage in this conflict, without getting some major concessions for both parties?
Yup, because a 1200km long pipeline wouldn't be a tempting target.
Weirdly, Salalah was on my long-list of holiday options for this year, having done - and very much enjoyed -Muscat a few years ago.
Yup, because a 1200km long pipeline wouldn't be a tempting target.
Weirdly, Salalah was on my long-list of holiday options for this year, having done - and very much enjoyed -Muscat a few years ago.
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From: Washington.
How well can a counterterrorism unit protect the leader from air attacks? This little profile is on the special military units (seem to be in the elite class of military units) whose mission included personal security for the Leader/Ayatollah.
There are more than a few of them, if NCRI has good inside info.
There are more than a few of them, if NCRI has good inside info.
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From: Worcestershire, UK
Saudi's crude export pre war was circa 11m bpd.
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Over 42 million account holders…..
...
6/ So while hitting Bank Sepah disrupts the regime's ability to pay its foot soldiers, the IRGC's hands must be cut from across Iran's entire economy — their construction monopolies (Khatam al-Anbiya), their crypto operations ($3B+ in 2025), their smuggling networks, and their shadow banking. Sanctions must target the empire, not just the salary line.
...
6/ So while hitting Bank Sepah disrupts the regime's ability to pay its foot soldiers, the IRGC's hands must be cut from across Iran's entire economy — their construction monopolies (Khatam al-Anbiya), their crypto operations ($3B+ in 2025), their smuggling networks, and their shadow banking. Sanctions must target the empire, not just the salary line.
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From: Australia
The whole crux of the issue. The Strait is of such importance to the entire world economy that someone had to destroy the Iranians ability hold the whole world to ransom by choosing who passes and who does not.
The same can be compared to protecting free movement through in both the Suez and Panama Canals.
The same can be compared to protecting free movement through in both the Suez and Panama Canals.
Using your rationale, does that mean that "someone" should also attack Egypt and Panama?
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Two tankers truck and burning in the Gulf tonight.
Video
Video
UPDATE: 2 oil tankers are on fire after being attacked in the Persian Gulf off Iraq, according to Reuters. It's unclear who carried out the attack.
NEW: 1 of the ships on fire in the Persian Gulf is the U.S.-owned SafeSea Vishnu, according to Tanker Trackers. The other one is the Greek-owned Zefyros
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
If the Israelis are deploying loitering drones over Tehran they either have established a ground base somewhere in Iran or one of the Gulf states. Otherwise they will will have no time on task.
Video
Video
BIG DEVELOPMENT!
Loitering munition drones now appear to be operating over Tehran.
More than 10 checkpoints and several moving IRGC military vehicles across various areas of Tehran have been targeted and destroyed in drone strikes. (@etelaf10)
This type of weapon can loiter over an area, wait for targets to appear, and then strike, which becomes far easier once enemy air-defense systems are degraded or suppressed.
This could help clear the path for a broader national uprising by weakening the regime’s street-level control.
Loitering munition drones now appear to be operating over Tehran.
More than 10 checkpoints and several moving IRGC military vehicles across various areas of Tehran have been targeted and destroyed in drone strikes. (@etelaf10)
This type of weapon can loiter over an area, wait for targets to appear, and then strike, which becomes far easier once enemy air-defense systems are degraded or suppressed.
This could help clear the path for a broader national uprising by weakening the regime’s street-level control.
BREAKING: Video recorded in Tehran minutes ago shows the aftermath of a precise drone strike by the Israeli Air Force eliminating a convoy of the security forces of the Islamic regime of Iran on Chamran Highway.
You can see fire trucks at the scene trying to put out the fire from the burned vehicles.
You can see fire trucks at the scene trying to put out the fire from the burned vehicles.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
‘UK bases will only be used for defensive missions”……
RAF Fairford Video
RAF Fairford Video
England- USAF ground crew remove the cruise missile launchers from a B-1B Lancer, and replace them with a full load of 2,000 lb GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs.