[Jen]

I think they are also what the Iranians refer to as “plain clothes” in their tweets - but I could be wrong on that.

[retrokitten]

I think you are probably right on the right track.

[FARS]

bassij as per Wikipedia is only partly correct. They were increased to about 1,000,000 at the outset of people who would be naive enough to accept all orders of the Supreme Leaders Khomeini. Recently a special Bassiji Strike Force of over 10,000 WITH THIS more recent proviso has that they were to be PAID mercenaries of NON-Persian origin from OUTSIDE Iran.

Persians are reluctant (for the most part) to kill fellow Persians so Arabs from around the MIddle East, Palestinians, Hamas, Hezbollah, Afghan Taleban and Eastern European Moslems from Albania etc., were imported and set up in military barracks. with color TV, food and women (often female prisoners from some of the 100 unofficial security ones, which report to only some high up Mullah.

Hopefully by the end of the day or evening AntiMullah will post latest news and breaking information and analysis.

Keep an eye out. More on who is running the Bassiji right now.