These days, Iran, surrounded by war, is struggling on many fronts. Iran has elected Mojtaba Khomeini as the new Supreme Leader after the Supreme Leader was killed in the Israeli-American attack. The new Supreme Leader is the son of the Supreme Leader who was killed last month. After his selection, NOPO unit has suddenly come into discussion. Actually this unit is deployed for the security of the new Supreme Leader.
Needless to say, the death of the old Supreme Leader was due to security lapse or excellent planning by Israel and America. Iran now does not want to let that incident repeat itself and America and Israel have been repeatedly threatening that they will kill whoever becomes the supreme leader. In this situation, it is natural that the security of the new Supreme Leader has been kept more tight than before. Now the question is whether NOPO unit, how dangerous is it? How many soldiers are there in this unit? What are its features? How many experts are there in this unit?
NOPO unit is Iran’s impenetrable security wall
Whenever it comes to security of the top leadership of power in Iran, the first name that comes to mind is NOPO unit. This is not just a security squad, but a combination of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and police force, which has been specially designed to protect the Wali-e-Faqih i.e. the Supreme Leader. This can be understood as India’s SPG, which is a special squad deployed for the security of the Prime Minister. In this, soldiers and officers are taken from different security forces. All SPG soldiers and officers have to go through strict examination and training. They are known to finish the enemy’s work in the blink of an eye.
What is NOPO unit?
The full name of NOPO is Niru-ye Vize-ye Pasban-e Vilayat. It was formed in the year 1991. It is also often known as the Black Guards because its soldiers are covered from head to toe in black clothes and modern gear. Their main tasks are personal security of the Supreme Leader, anti-terrorism operations and hostage rescue. The work that NSG does in India is also done by this special unit in Iran. This means that in Iran this NOPO unit takes care of the security of the Supreme Leader along with other important responsibilities. In India, there is SPG for PM and NSG is available for other tasks.
How dangerous is this unit?
The biggest thing that makes the NOPO unit dangerous is their training and loyalty. For them, protecting the supreme leader is not just a job but a religious duty. They are trained to work under extreme psychological pressure. These soldiers are equipped with the world’s most modern weapons such as MP5 submachine guns, SIG Sauer pistols and indigenous Iranian assault rifles. In public programs, these soldiers are not only in uniform, but are also present amidst the crowd in plain clothes, which makes it impossible for the attacker to identify them.
Almost every soldier in the NOPO unit has a black belt in karate, judo or taekwondo. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
How many soldiers are there in the unit, how is the selection process?
Iran does not make public the exact number of soldiers and experts in NOPO. However, international media, quoting defense experts, have reported that there could be between two to five thousand active soldiers in this special force. Their selection process is very difficult. Out of thousands of applicants, only a few hundred are selected.
The ideological loyalty of the candidate and his family is thoroughly scrutinized. It is mandatory for soldiers to excel in martial arts, swimming, mountaineering and long distance running. Fox News writes that NOPO is made up of only six brigades. Of these, four brigades are said to be deployed in Tehran, one in Mashhad and one in Isfahan.
What are the features of this unit?
The soldiers of NOPO unit have achieved expertise in many fields. Almost every soldier of this unit has a black belt in Karate, Judo or Taekwondo. Even without weapons, they have the ability to kill the enemy in a few seconds. They have a team of the world’s best snipers, who can hit targets accurately from a distance of more than a kilometer. These soldiers are not only physically skilled, but also expert in cyber security and electronic surveillance. They use modern radars and jammers to detect any potential threat. They have expertise in creating security cordon in narrow streets and crowded areas.
Mujtaba Khamenei is now the new Supreme Leader of Iran.
role of armor in war
Currently, tension between Iran and Israel is at its peak. The role of NOPO unit has become even more important. In recent months, Iran has increased its security protocols manifold. NOPO is now deployed with portable anti-drone guns so that any possible drone attack can be foiled in the air. This unit uses secret tunnels and convoys of bulletproof vehicles for the movement of the supreme leader, which is monitored through satellite. The response time of this unit is considered to be the lowest in the world. In case of any attack, these soldiers are capable of creating human shield within 3 to 5 seconds.
Why is it different from security agencies?
There are many security agencies in Iran such as Basij or Quds Force but NOPO focuses only on internal security and protecting the leadership. While the Quds Force is known for overseas operations, NOPO ensures an impenetrable ring around the Supreme Leader on Iranian soil. This unit was banned by America in the year 2021. From this it is easy to guess to what extent its soldiers will be dangerous.
The essence is that the NOPO unit is a symbol of Iran’s power that works silently. Their training, modern weapons and unwavering loyalty to the Supreme Leader make them one of the most lethal security units in the world. In this era of war, they are not only a security force, but also the protectors of Iran’s political and religious existence.
Also read: How much oil does a cargo ship carrying oil by sea drink every hour?