How Iran's elite forces 'mold the minds of the young cadets'
Months of correspondence with two high-ranking defectors have given DW's investigative unit a rare look at the mindset of the regime's loyal servants — and revealed a clandestine circle that allegedly plots murders.
Omid, an Iranian security force member, joined the elite forces at 18 years old with a deep commitment to his country. At the academy, cadets were subjected to the regime's control, including military training, daily prayers, and speeches. Some recruits eventually rise to join elite officers who engage in missions, abductions, and assassinations, both domestically and internationally.
Omid, who now serves as a commander, attended such meetings. In 2026, he reached out to DW to share his experiences, including training, secret monitoring centers, and housing compounds reserved for high-ranking members of the security forces. Omid and another defector, Reza, corroborated their accounts with DW, providing documents, photos, and videos.
Both men expressed horror over the regime's ongoing brutality, which led them to speak with DW. The Supreme Leader's Office declined comment, and the Iranian embassy in Berlin refrained from addressing the allegations.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
