Rahian-e Noor was established in 1997 by the student branch of the Basij; its name was selected by military organizations of the Iranian Islamic Revolution.[3] Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Khamenei visited the Iranian war zone in 1999 and 2002 to support the movement. In 2005, he ordered the creation of a Sepah subdivision entitled the Foundation for the Preservation and Publication of Sacred Defense Works and Values to officially support the caravans.[3][4]