Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a military–security organization established in 1979 following the Iranian Revolution to protect the new Islamic regime and its ideological foundations. It operates parallel to Iran’s regular armed forces and functions as an independent force directly loyal to the Supreme Leader. The IRGC includes ground, aerospace, and naval branches, as well as the Quds Force, which is responsible for operations outside Iran’s borders and for supporting allied groups and proxy forces across the Middle East. It also oversees the Basij, a volunteer militia involved in internal security and public order enforcement. Beyond its military role, the IRGC holds significant influence in Iran’s political and economic spheres, with involvement in sectors such as construction, energy, telecommunications, and defense industries.