The bit at the end where they are pulled out of line at boarding was very confusing. If they were conducted back out of secure space to public space, "next minute I was aboard" short circuits re-entry to secure space.

I think the editor removed some text, and context. I read this as "we're watching you" reinforcement: they were pulled out of line, politely, shown senior staff engagement, talked to, and then put back into boarding to leave.

Also, this is presumably about the Basij, but didn't seem to say so very clearly.

It is worth remembering the Shah era had very very unpleasant police-state forces.