In a revealing account of Iran’s security apparatus, former elite special forces commander ‘Omid’ described an environment where cadets are subjected to total control, from military drills to daily religious observances, as part of a systematic effort to ‘mold their minds.’ Omid, who joined the forces at 18 with a strong sense of patriotism, stated that this indoctrination produces an elite cadre of officers with access to unlimited resources, tasked with plotting abductions and assassinations both inside and outside the country.
Omid’s testimony, shared with DW in early 2026, offers a rare glimpse into the opaque inner workings of the Islamic Republic’s power structure. His account was corroborated by documents, photos, videos, and interviews with experts, including the statement of a second defector known as ‘Reza,’ who served in Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence. Together, their narratives illustrate how the regime maintains loyal forces despite widespread protests, economic sanctions, and external military pressures.
The investigation began with skepticism; DW journalists spent months verifying Omid’s identity and motives, fearing he might be a plant sent to spread disinformation. However, the volume of evidence he provided—including training records, images of secret monitoring centers, and details on housing compounds for high-ranking officials—proved substantial. Both men were subsequently identified, though certain details remain withheld to protect them and their families.
Omid highlighted the paradoxical privileges afforded to elite officers, such as lucrative contracts, specialized housing with mosques and schools, and financial incentives. Yet, these benefits come at the cost of personal freedom. Passports are confiscated, travel is restricted, and even the choice of school for one’s children is dictated by the state. The regime also vets prospective partners for these officers, and they are often forbidden from sharing the true nature of their work with their spouses, a burden Omid admitted took a significant emotional toll.
Saeid Golkar, a political scientist at the University of Tennessee specializing in the Islamic Republic’s command structure, noted that segregating security forces from the general populace allows for more effective indoctrination and peer pressure. This separation, he argued, makes it less likely that these forces will hesitate to use force against civilians.
Reza, formerly an ardent supporter of the regime who came from a religious family, expressed regret over his years of service. He recalled being moved to tears during prayers, believing he was serving his people and might die as a martyr. However, witnessing the brutal crackdown on protesters, particularly during the January 2026 demonstrations sparked by inflation and shortages, shattered his loyalty. Both defectors described horror at the killings, which human rights groups report included shooting unarmed demonstrators, even in hospital beds.
The defectors detailed the existence of secret command centers in Tehran and other cities, equipped with large screens displaying real-time CCTV footage and drone feeds. Here, intelligence from social media, intercepted communications, and plainclothes agents infiltrating protest groups is aggregated. A representative of the Supreme Leader reportedly holds the authority to decide the severity of the response to demonstrations.
When regular police are overwhelmed, elite units from the Revolutionary Guard, often dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, are deployed. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have documented the use of military-grade weaponry, such as heavy machine guns mounted on pickup trucks, against protesters, suggesting an intent to kill rather than merely disperse crowds.
Omid also pointed DW toward a nondescript prayer hall in Shahr-e Rey, on the outskirts of Tehran. Known as ‘Dakhme’ or ‘the crypt,’ this location serves as a meeting ground for high-ranking officers to plan off-the-books operations, including murders and abductions. While Omid insisted he only attended these meetings due to orders and did not participate in the operations, he listed specific cases planned there. DW could not independently verify all the operations but confirmed that some individuals named had indeed died under mysterious circumstances.
Iran’s Embassy in Berlin declined to address the specific allegations, stating only that the Islamic Republic firmly rejects the conclusions drawn from them. The Office of the Supreme Leader did not respond to requests for comment.
Leave a Reply