Topzle Topzle

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Updated: Wikipedia source

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, is a multi-service primary branch of the Iranian Armed Forces. It was officially established by Ruhollah Khomeini as a military branch in May 1979 in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. Whereas the Iranian Army protects the country's sovereignty in a traditional capacity, the IRGC's constitutional mandate is to ensure the integrity of the Islamic Republic. Most interpretations of this mandate assert that it entrusts the IRGC with preventing foreign interference in Iran, thwarting coups by the traditional military, and crushing "deviant movements" that harm the ideological legacy of the Islamic Revolution. As of 2024, the IRGC had approximately 125,000 total personnel. The IRGC Navy is now Iran's primary force exercising operational control over the Persian Gulf, serving as a de facto coast guard. The IRGC's Basij, a paramilitary volunteer militia, has a further approximately 90,000 active personnel. It operates a media arm, known as "Sepah News" within Iran. On 16 March 2022, it adopted a new independent branch called the "Command for the Protection and Security of Nuclear Centres" involved with Iran's nuclear program. Currently, the IRGC is designated as a terrorist organization by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Ecuador, Paraguay, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the United States. Originating as an ideological militia, the IRGC has taken on a growing role in nearly every aspect of Iranian politics, economics (including energy and food industries) and society. In 2010, BBC News described the organization as a "business empire". In 2019, Reuters described it as "an industrial empire with political clout". IRGC's expanded social, political, military, and economic role under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad—especially during the 2009 presidential election and the suppression of post-election protests—has led many Western analysts to argue that it has surpassed even the country's ruling clerical class in terms of political power. From 2019 to 2025, Hossein Salami served as the IRGC's incumbent commander-in-chief. He was killed along with numerous senior officers during the wave of Israeli strikes launched on 13 June 2025.

Infobox

Motto
Heraldic slogan:وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ (Arabic)"Prepare against them what you 'believers' can of 'military' power." Quran 8:60
Founded
5 May 1979; 46 years ago (1979-05-05) (established)
Ideology
mw- KhomeinismShia IslamismGuardianship of the Islamic JuristJihadism (Shia)Islamic revivalismIslamic fundamentalismPan-IslamismSocial conservatismShia–Sunni alliance (claimed)Anti-Zionism
Service branches
Ground Forces Aerospace Force Navy Quds Force Basij
Headquarters
Tehran, Iran
Website
sepahnews.ir
Commander-in-Chief
Mohammad Pakpour
Deputy Commander-in-Chief
Cdre Ali Fadavi
Conscription
≈50,000 (2019), recruited mostly from active members of Basij
Active personnel
≈125,000 (2024)
Budget
$6.96 billion (2020)
History
mw- li Kurdish separatism in Iran 1979 Kurdish rebellion KDPI insurgency (1989–1996) Iran–PJAK conflict Western Iran clashes (2016–present) Arab separatism in Khuzestan 1979 Khuzestan insurgency Iran–Iraq War Lebanese Civil War United States invasion of Afghanistan 2001 uprising in Herat Balochistan conflict Sistan and Baluchestan insurgency 2006 Lebanon War 2009 Iranian presidential election protests Insurgency in Bahrain Syrian Civil War (intervention) War in Iraq (2013–2017) Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present) Russo-Ukrainian war (intervention) Attacks on US bases during the Gaza war 2024 Iran-Israel conflict Iran–Israel War Proxy conflicts with: Israel Saudi Arabia Turkey (low-intensity since 2024)
Ranks
Rank insignia of the Iranian military
Designated as a terrorist group by
Australia Bahrain Canada Ecuador Paraguay Saudi Arabia Sweden United States Israel (Quds Force only)

Tables

· Organization › Military structure
Forces
Forces
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Forces
Ground forces,Aerospace and Quds
Ground forces,Aerospace and Quds
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Ground forces,Aerospace and Quds
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Navy
Colonel General Pasdar
Colonel General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Colonel General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Admiral Pasdar
Lieutenant General Pasdar
Lieutenant General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Lieutenant General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Vice Admiral Pasdar
Major General Pasdar
Major General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Major General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Rear Admiral Pasdar
Brigadier General Pasdar
Brigadier General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Brigadier General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Commodore Pasdar
Second Brigadier General Pasdar
Second Brigadier General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Second Brigadier General Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Second Brigadier Admiral
Colonel Pasdar
Colonel Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Colonel Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Captain Pasdar
Lieutenant colonel Pasdar
Lieutenant colonel Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Lieutenant colonel Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Frigate Captain Pasdar
Major Pasdar
Major Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Major Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Lieutenant Commander Pasdar
Captain Pasdar
Captain Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Captain Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Captain Lieutenant Pasdar
Lieutenant Pasdar
Lieutenant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Lieutenant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Lieutenant Pasdar
Second Lieutenant Pasdar
Second Lieutenant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Second Lieutenant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Second Lieutenant Pasdar
Junior Lieutenant Pasdar
Junior Lieutenant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Junior Lieutenant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Junior Lieutenant Pasdar
Sergeant Major Pasdar
Sergeant Major Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Sergeant Major Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Warrant Officer Pasdar
Second Sergeant Major Pasdar
Second Sergeant Major Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Second Sergeant Major Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Michman Pasdar
Sergeant Pasdar
Sergeant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Sergeant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Petty Officer Pasdar
Second Sergeant Pasdar
Second Sergeant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Second Sergeant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Second Petty Officer Pasdar
Junior Sergeant Pasdar
Junior Sergeant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Junior Sergeant Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Junior Petty Officer Pasdar
Corporal Pasdar
Corporal Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Corporal Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Able Seaman Pasdar
Soldier Pasdar
Soldier Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Soldier Pasdar
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Seaman Pasdar
Note: The forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are called "Pasdar"."Pasdar" is a Persian word meaning "Guardian" or "Watchman".
Note: The forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are called "Pasdar"."Pasdar" is a Persian word meaning "Guardian" or "Watchman".
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Note: The forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are called "Pasdar"."Pasdar" is a Persian word meaning "Guardian" or "Watchman".
Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC)
Forces
Ground forces,Aerospace and Quds
Navy
Colonel General Pasdar
Admiral Pasdar
Lieutenant General Pasdar
Vice Admiral Pasdar
Major General Pasdar
Rear Admiral Pasdar
Brigadier General Pasdar
Commodore Pasdar
Second Brigadier General Pasdar
Second Brigadier Admiral
Colonel Pasdar
Captain Pasdar
Lieutenant colonel Pasdar
Frigate Captain Pasdar
Major Pasdar
Lieutenant Commander Pasdar
Captain Pasdar
Captain Lieutenant Pasdar
Lieutenant Pasdar
Lieutenant Pasdar
Second Lieutenant Pasdar
Second Lieutenant Pasdar
Junior Lieutenant Pasdar
Junior Lieutenant Pasdar
Sergeant Major Pasdar
Warrant Officer Pasdar
Second Sergeant Major Pasdar
Michman Pasdar
Sergeant Pasdar
Petty Officer Pasdar
Second Sergeant Pasdar
Second Petty Officer Pasdar
Junior Sergeant Pasdar
Junior Petty Officer Pasdar
Corporal Pasdar
Able Seaman Pasdar
Soldier Pasdar
Seaman Pasdar
Note: The forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are called "Pasdar"."Pasdar" is a Persian word meaning "Guardian" or "Watchman".

References

  1. Persian: سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی, romanized: Sepāh-e Pāsdārān-e Enqelāb-e Eslāmī, lit. 'Army of Guardians of the Isl
  2. The United States unsuccessfully targeted Abdul Reza Shahlai in Yemen on the same day of assassination of Qasem Soleiman
  3. Strategic Analysis
    https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09700161.2011.559965
  4. United States Institute of Peace
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190905162523/http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/timeline-military-and-security-events
  5. Asian Affairs
    https://doi.org/10.1080%2F03068374.2023.2174687
  6. Federalist Solutions to Pakistan's Political Crises
    https://books.google.com/books?id=gekFEQAAQBAJ&pg=PA170
  7. X (formerly Twitter)
    https://x.com/IranianArForces/status/1933381741118468517
  8. The Supreme Leader and the Guard: Civil-Military Relations and Regime Survival in Iran
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201129170432/https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PolicyNote58-Golkar.pdf
  9. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-revolutionary-guards-powerful-group-with-wide-regional-reach-2024-04-01/
  10. The Military Balance 2020
    https://doi.org/10.1080%2F04597222.2020.1707968
  11. The Iran Primer
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210622020326/https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2020/jun/17/iran%E2%80%99s-defense-spending
  12. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will be proscribed as a terrorist organisation. What does this mean?
    https://theconversation.com/the-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-will-be-proscribed-as-a-terrorist-organisation-what-does-this-mean-263922
  13. "Bahrain Terrorist List (individuals – entities)"
    https://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?tabid=12342&language=en-US
  14. Public Safety Canada
    https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-en.aspx
  15. WANA
    https://wanaen.com/ecuador-labels-irgc-as-terrorist-organization/
  16. United Press International
    https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/04/25/paraguay-designates-IRGC-Hamas-Hezbollah/4371745556945/
  17. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-bahrain-security-iran/saudi-bahrain-add-irans-revolutionary-guards-to-terrorism-lists-idUSKCN1MX288
  18. Iran International
    https://www.iranintl.com/en/202305102418
  19. treasury.gov
    https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0177.aspx
  20. NBCTF
    https://nbctf.mod.gov.il/he/Announcements/Documents/%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A5%20%D7%94%D7%AA%D7%A7%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%AA-11473.pdf
  21. The Times of Israel
    https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-revolutionary-guards-capture-commercial-ship-in-persian-gulf/
  22. IISS Military Balance 2006, Routledge for the IISS, London, 2006, p. 187
  23. "Profile: Iran's Revolutionary Guards" . BBC News. 18 October 2009.
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7064353.stm
  24. "The birth of a new class – Focus"
    http://www.aljazeera.com/focus/2010/04/2010421104845169224.html
  25. "The Consequences of a Strike on Iran: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy" GlobalBearings.net, 15 December 2011.
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120203193602/http://www.globalbearings.net/2011/12/view-irgc-naval-bases-in-larger-map.html
  26. Abrahamian, Ervand, History of Modern Iran, Columbia University Press, 2008 pp. 175–76
  27. "Iran's Basij Force – The Mainstay of Domestic Security. 15 January 2009"
    http://www.rferl.org/content/Irans_Basij_Force_Mainstay_Of_Domestic_Security/1357081.html
  28. "Picture imperfect" Archived 12 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine 9 March 2013 The Economist
    https://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21572915-digital-imaging-insurers-publishers-law-enforcement-agencies-and-dating-sites-are
  29. "برای حفاظت از تاسیسات هسته‌ای ایران، 'فرماندهی سپاه هسته‌ای' تشکیل شده است"
    https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-60744049.amp
  30. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/08/politics/iran-us-irgc-designation/index.html
  31. euronews
    https://www.euronews.com/2018/10/23/saudi-bahrain-add-irans-irgc-to-terror-lists-spa
  32. "Canada lists Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group"
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn00nd1n4y2o
  33. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-10743580
  34. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-guards/khamenei-names-new-chief-for-irans-revolutionary-guards-idUSKCN1RX0JN
  35. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/world/middleeast/21guards.html?hpw=&pagewanted=print
  36. "Arrests at new Iranian protests"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8161824.stm
  37. "Crisis as Opportunity for the IRGC"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090805170755/http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/8877
  38. Foreign Policy
    https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/10/07/the_rise_of_the_Iranian_dictatorship
  39. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/21/world/middleeast/iran-revolutionary-guards-leader.html
  40. ایرنا
    https://www.irna.ir/news/85860919/%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D8%AA%D9%86%DB%8C-%DA%86%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87
  41. "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps"
    http://www.irna.ir/mazandaran/fa/News/259699/
  42. "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, part 2"
    https://www.irib.ir/electionVideoArchive/214/2
  43. "The alarming of Islamic revolutionary guard corps chief to the enemies"
    http://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2352384/
  44. Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/frontpage/story/0,,2051927,00.html
  45. "Brainroom Facts: Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps"
    https://www.foxnews.com/story/brainroom-facts-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps
  46. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/topic/organization/islamic-revolutionary-guards-corps-quds-force
  47. Newsweek
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070401125205/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17175607/site/newsweek/
  48. Time
    http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1602389,00.html?cnn=yes
  49. treasury.gov
    https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1010.aspx
  50. UN
    https://www.un.org/press/en/2007/sc8980.doc.htm
  51. "ترجمه‌ى معانی سوره انفال - ترجمه انگلیسی - مرکز نور اینترنشنال - شماره‌ى صفحه 177"
    https://quranenc.com/fa/browse/english_saheeh/8-1
  52. http://www.parsquran.com/
    http://www.parsquran.com/
  53. JDW
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070103181014/http://www.janes.co.uk/defence/news/jwar/jwar060829_1_n.shtml
  54. JDW
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070103021647/http://www.janes.co.uk/security/international_security/news/jdw/jdw061004_1_n.shtml
  55. "ICL – Iran – Constitution"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071114195529/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/law/icl/ir00000_.html
  56. "Guardians of the Islamic/muslim Revolution Ideology, Politics, and the Development of Military Power in Iran (1979–2009)"
    http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/64683/afshon_1.pdf;jsessionid=DF7BFA33BF18FF73E9117CB0504F14E1?sequence=1
  57. Frederic Wehrey
    https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG821.pdf
  58. "Iran's Revolutionary Guards"
    https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/irans-revolutionary-guards
  59. JFQ
    https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA516529.pdf
  60. New Yorker
    https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/25/the-twilight-of-the-iranian-revolution
  61. The New Yorker
    https://americanuestra.com/the-twilight-of-the-iranian-revolution
  62. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/27/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-scientist-assassinated-mohsen-fakhrizadeh.html
  63. "توزیع جیره غذایی معادل "۲۰ دلار" توسط سپاه و بسیج بین مردم؛ اسحاق جهانگیری: آمریکا در فروپاشی اقتصاد ایران شکست خورده!"
    https://kayhan.london/1399/04/16/202485/
  64. "IRGC Revamps To Counter Enemy Within « Strategic Policy Consulting, Inc"
    http://spcwashington.com/?p=549
  65. American Enterprise Institute – AEI
    https://www.aei.org/articles/supreme-leader-do-not-let-the-enemy-dominate-cyberspace/
  66. "بررسی ادغام سپاه پاسداران و نيروی بسيج از ديد دکتر عليرضا نوری زاده"
    https://ir.voanews.com/a/a-31-2007-10-02-voa14-62498022/605599.html
  67. BBC News فارسی
    https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2009/10/091008_op_sepah_restructuring.amp
  68. رادیو فردا
    https://www.radiofarda.com/a/f6_Iran_Sepah_Basij/1843255.html
  69. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/11/27/iran-told-to-prepare-for-war/f48bc2af-4d6c-4f62-95ae-6f3cddf9d824/
  70. Iran Primer
    https://web.archive.org/web/20221225185318/https://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/basij-resistance-force
  71. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLM225970
  72. Center for Strategic and International Studies
    https://www.csis.org/analysis/iranian-missile-threat
  73. Iran Military Power
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210624172320/https://www.dia.mil/Portals/27/Documents/News/Military%20Power%20Publications/Iran_Military_Power_LR.pdf
  74. Gulf III: Iran's Power in the Sea Lanes
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160111230330/http://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2013/mar/12/gulf-iii-iran%E2%80%99s-power-sea-lanes
  75. www.isna.ir
    https://www.isna.ir/news/1403050905814/سرلشکر-سلامی-نیروی-دریایی-سپاه-سابقه-نبردی-موفق-در-مقابل-آمریکا/
  76. Voice of America
    https://ir.voanews.com/a/persiannewsiran_iran-election-rohani/6119002.html
  77. Long War Journal
    http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/04/qassem-soleimani-reportedly-spotted-in-syrias-hama-province.php
  78. United States Institute of Peace
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190708132950/https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2019-03/sr_443-the_fatemiyoun_army_reintegration_into_afghan_society-pdf_0.pdf
  79. Diyaruna
    https://diyaruna.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_di/features/2018/01/25/feature-01
  80. IraqNewspaper.net
    https://iraqnewspaper.net/ar/التعرف-جثة-امر-لواء-زينبيون-الايرا/
  81. Diyaruna
    https://diyaruna.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_di/features/2018/01/25/feature-01
  82. "Meet the Zainebiyoun Brigade: An Iranian Backed Pakistani Shia Militia Fighting in Syria"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160502213753/https://theosintblog.com/2016/04/28/meet-the-zainebiyoun-brigade-an-iranian-backed-pakistani-shia-militia-fighting-in-syria/
  83. "frontline: terror and Tehran: inside Iran: the structure of power in Iran"
    https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tehran/inside/govt.html#snsc
  84. Zeev Schiff (1 November 2006). Israel's War With Iran Archived 12 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. New York Times.
    https://www.nytimes.com/cfr/world/20061101faessay_v85n6_schiff.html
  85. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/15/AR2006071500189.html
  86. BBC News
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4594104.stm
  87. Military Plane Crashes in Iran; Senior Officer and 12 Others Die Archived 8 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine, New Yor
    https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/10/international/military-plane-crashes-in-iran-senior-officer-and-12-others.html
  88. Hersh, Seymour (7 July 2008). "Preparing the Battlefield: The Bush Administration steps up its secret moves against Iran
    https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/07/080707fa_fact_hersh?currentPage=all.
  89. "Larijani Blames US for Terrorist Attack on IRGC Commanders" Archived 12 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Fars News
    http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=8807261381
  90. "Iran vows response to suicide blast" Archived 6 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Al Jazeera. 18 October 2009.
    http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/10/20091018201522994684.html
  91. Police Chief Holds Pakistan Accountable for Terror Attack in Iran Archived 11 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Fars
    http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=8807291507
  92. Derakhsi, Reza (19 October 2009). "US, UK behind attack on Guards, claims Iran" Archived 10 October 2017 at the Wayback
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/us-uk-behind-attack-on-guards-claims-iran-1805242.html
  93. "Consider Jundallah's Attack in a Wider Context"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111217145811/http://pulsemedia.org/2009/10/18/consider-jundallahs-attack-in-a-wider-context/
  94. The Seattle Times
    https://archive.today/20120714193458/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010107146_apmliranbombing.html
  95. Iran boosts support to Syria Archived 29 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Telegraph, 21 February 2014
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/10654144/Iran-boosts-support-to-Syria.html
  96. "Iran confirms sending troops to Syria, says bloodshed otherwise would be worse"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120702204343/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/05/28/217014.html
  97. Reuters
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130613183422/http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/06/09/syria-crisis-idINDEE95802T20130609
  98. Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs
    http://jcpa.org/iranian-forces-on-the-golan/
  99. "Mapping the Deaths of Iranian Officers Across Syria"
    https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/30/mapping-the-deaths-of-iranian-officers-across-syria/
  100. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iranian-media-is-revealing-that-scores-of-the-countrys-fighters-are-dying-in-syria/2015/11/27/294deb02-8ca0-11e5-934c-a369c80822c2_story.html
  101. Trend
    http://en.trend.az/iran/politics/2411810.html
  102. "Iran's involvement in Syria, units and losses October 2015" Archived 19 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine, PBS/Levan
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSkrFNBXAAAxnT6.jpg:large
  103. "Iran's Afghan Shiite Fighters in Syria" Archived 24 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Washington Institute, 3 June 201
    http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/irans-afghan-shiite-fighters-in-syria
  104. "Shiite Combat Casualties Show the Depth of Iran's Involvement in Syria"
    http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/shiite-combat-casualties-show-the-depth-of-irans-involvement-in-syria
  105. The report came from "officers in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as websites affiliated with i
  106. "IRGC-Affiliated Website: Some 30 IRGC Officers Killed On Syrian Front In The Past Two Weeks"
    http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/8830.htm
  107. Sepanews.com, 10 October 2015
  108. Irish Independent
    http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/us-under-pressure-to-act-as-iran-helps-iraq-fight-alqaida-30351513.html
  109. The Guardian
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180108174903/https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2014/dec/07/qassem-suleimani-middle-east-mastermind-islamic-state
  110. "Iranian general killed by sniper bullet in embattled Iraqi city"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171011161150/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iran/iranian-general-killed-by-sniper-bullet-in-embattled-iraqi-city-idUSKBN0K60F020141228
  111. "Senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard killed fighting Islamic State in Iraq: Tasnim"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171011113553/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-iran/senior-iranian-revolutionary-guard-killed-fighting-islamic-state-in-iraq-tasnim-idUSKBN18N0F9
  112. "US attacks Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria"
    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50941693
  113. Associated Press News
    https://apnews.com/5c01f233f4a80281e8b65259352a878c
  114. Associated Press News
    https://apnews.com/5597ff0f046a67805cc233d5933a53ed
  115. "Iran says it shot down Israeli drone"
    http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/08/iran-israeli-drone-2014824132116380133.html
  116. "Iran 'shoots down Israeli drone' near Natanz nuclear site"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28920361
  117. Reuters
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114133/http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/08/24/iran-israel-drone-idINKBN0GO0J920140824
  118. "Iran plane crash: Khamenei defends armed forces in rare address"
    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51140806
  119. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-01-11/under-pressure-iran-admits-it-shot-down-jetliner-by-mistake
  120. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/01/11/iran-admits-to-unintentionally-shooting-down-ukrainian-airliner-blames-human-error.html
  121. "Iran's Khamenei defends Revolutionary Guard in rare Friday sermon"
    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/ayatollah-khamenei-defends-revolutionary-guard-friday-sermon-200117105420440.html
  122. "Iran frees 2 soldiers kidnapped in Pakistan"
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/iran-frees-2-soldiers-kidnapped-in-pakistan/2132654
  123. Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-8b085070758120c31d421f68a65e4b14
  124. Institute for the Study of War
    https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-25
  125. Institute for the Study of War
    https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-12
  126. Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/14/mapping-wide-scale-iranian-drone-missile-attacks/
  127. CBS News
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-launches-drone-attack-toward-israel-idf-says/
  128. AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/israel-syria-airstrike-iranian-embassy-edca34c52d38c8bc57281e4ebf33b240
  129. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/13/israel-under-fire-as-iran-launches-extensive-drone-strikes
  130. iranpress.com
    http://iranpress.com/aliaspage/277652
  131. Al Jazeera
    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/14/true-promise-why-and-how-did-iran-launch-a-historic-attack-on-israel
  132. The Hindu
    https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/analysis-three-takeaways-from-irans-attack-on-israel/article68064678.ece
  133. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/12/israel-launches-strike-against-iran-00404354
  134. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/world/middleeast/iran-military-generals-killed-israel.html
  135. "18 of Iran's 21 new ministers hail from Revolutionary Guards, secret police"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120222045228/http://www.iranfocus.com/en/iran-general-/18-of-iran-s-21-new-ministers-hail-from-revolutionary-guards-secret-police-03315.html
  136. Roy, Olivier, The Politics of Chaos in the Middle East, Columbia University Press, 2008, p.133, 135
  137. The Rise of the Pasdaran: Assessing the Domestic Roles of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
    https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG821/
  138. Daragahi, Borzou. (6 July 2009). "Iran's Revolutionary Guard acknowledges taking a bigger role in nation's security" Arc
    https://latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran7-2009jul07,0,1530538.story
  139. "Profile: Iran's Revolutionary Guards"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7064353.stm
  140. Foreign Affairs
    http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/140253/akbar-ganji/revolutionary-pragmatists?cid=soc-twitter-in-snapshots-revolutionary_pragmatists-111113
  141. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-aug-26-fg-guards26-story.html
  142. Time
    http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1659039,00.html
  143. "Fact Sheet: Designation of Iranian Entities and Individuals for Proliferation Activities and Support for Terrorism"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090723111758/http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp644.htm
  144. "CRS Report for Congress – Iran's Economy – Order Code RL34525"
    https://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/107234.pdf
  145. "Iran's Rev. Guard buys stake in Iran telecom". AP: Newsday.com. 27 September 2009.
    http://www.newsday.com/business/iran-s-rev-guard-buys-stake-in-iran-telecom-1.1480300
  146. Slackman, Michael (8 October 2009). "Elite Guard in Iran Tightens Grip With Media Move" Archived 10 November 2016 at the
    https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/world/middleeast/09iran.html?_r=1&em
  147. Payvand News
    http://www.payvand.com/news/10/mar/1213.html
  148. Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty
    https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-sanctions-target-iranian-linked-front-company-network-/29843704.html
  149. Jerusalem Post
    https://m.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-747924
  150. People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran
    https://english.mojahedin.org/article/irans-military-security-budget-to-increase-by-200-percent/?utm_
  151. Iran Open Data Center
    https://iranopendata.org/en/article/irans-military-budget-quarter-of-nations-finances-amid-economic-challenges/?utm_
  152. Modern Diplomacy
    https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/05/23/iran-running-out-of-time-to-avoid-running-out-of-water/
  153. Gulf International Forum
    https://gulfif.org/the-economic-empire-of-the-revolutionary-guards-in-iran/
  154. Atlantic Council
    https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/feeding-the-water-mafia-sanctions-relief-and-irans-water-crisis/
  155. "Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, Inc"
    http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/irans-revolutionary-guards-corps-inc
  156. "Iran's Revolutionary Guards"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121112092148/http://www.cfr.org/iran/irans-revolutionary-guards/p14324
  157. Alfoneh 2008, p. 3.
  158. Alfoneh 2008, p. 6.
  159. Alfoneh 2008, p. 7.
  160. "Fact Sheet: U.S. Treasury Department Targets Iran's Support for Terrorism Treasury Announces New Sanctions Against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force Leadership"
    https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg810.aspx
  161. "The Revolutionary Guards' Media Cartels"
    https://iranwire.com/en/features/66671
  162. RFE/RL
    https://en.radiofarda.com/a/warrior-interrogator-artist-the-man-who-leads-irgc-s-cultural-onslaught/30778529.html
  163. "نبیل: کار تشکیل نیروی مشابه به سپاه پاسداران ایران در قندهار تکمیل است"
    https://8am.media/fa/nabil-the-task-of-forming-a-force-similar-to-the-iranian-revolutionary-guard-corps-in-kandahar-is-complete/
  164. "Iran's Revolutionary Guards: Showing who's boss"
    http://www.economist.com/world/middleeast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14327633
  165. "Iran's resilient opposition: The regime's ramparts are shaky"
    http://www.economist.com/world/middleeast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15065598
  166. The Iran Agenda
    https://archive.org/details/iranagendarealst00rees
  167. Baer, p. 250.
  168. "The Attack in the Golan Exposes Iran's Growing Presence along Israel's Borders"
    http://jcpa.org/attack-golan-irans-along-israels-borders
  169. Mazzetti, Mark (1 January 2009). "Striking Deep Into Israel, Hamas Employs an Upgraded Rocket Arsenal Archived 17 April
    https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/world/middleeast/01rockets.html
  170. "Iran's Revolutionary Guards patrol Persian Gulf, U.S. says"
    http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/29/iran.navy/index.html
  171. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/dec/30/iran-britons-baghdad-kidnapping
  172. "Iran directly behind tanker attacks off UAE coast, US says"
    https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/iran-directly-behind-tanker-attacks-off-uae-coast-us-says-1.64179304
  173. "Fact Check: How Big of a Lie is the Guards' Coronavirus Detector?"
    https://iranwire.com/en/features/6940
  174. "Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps says its handheld device can detect coronavirus, scientists scoff"
    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/iran-s-revolutionary-guard-corps-says-its-handheld-device-can-n1186346
  175. "Iran's IRGC doubles down on claims of coronavirus detection machine – Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East"
    https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2020/04/iran-coronavirus-detection-device-irgc-rouhani.html
  176. "Iranians Make Fun Of 'Coronavirus Detection Device' Promoted By Revolutionary Guard"
    https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iranians-make-fun-of-coronavirus-detection-device-promoted-by-revolutionary-guard-/30723690.html
  177. Jerusalem Post
    https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-723869
  178. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68016330
  179. The Mirror
    https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-iranian-president-narrowly-escapes-33316060
  180. "Former Iranian president Ahmadinejad narrowly escapes assassination attempt – Türkiye Today"
    https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/former-iranian-president-ahmadinejad-narrowly-escapes-assassination-attempt-32543/
  181. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iran-idUSKCN1RR1BE
  182. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/08/world/middleeast/trump-iran-revolutionary-guard-corps.html
  183. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/09/world/middleeast/israel-election-results.html
  184. "Iran condemns, reciprocates designation of IRGC as terrorist organization – Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East"
    https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/04/iran-fto-designation-irgc-trump-reciprocation-reaction-tehran.html
  185. eurasiareview.com
    https://www.eurasiareview.com/02052019-middle-east-security-still-critical-to-us-says-pentagon-official/
  186. "Middle East Strategic Alliance Effort Aimed at Stabilization"
    https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1829790/middle-east-strategic-alliance-effort-aimed-at-stabilization/
  187. "Syria and Middle East Security, Michael Mulroy Remarks | C-SPAN.org"
    https://www.c-span.org/video/?460180-2%2Fsyria-middle-east-security-michael-mulroy-remarks
  188. "Europe Stays Silent over Designation of Guards as 'Terrorist Group'"
    https://en.radiofarda.com/a/europe-stays-silent-over-designation-of-guards-as-terrorist-group-/29878754.html
  189. "Sanctions Tally – European Union | Iran Watch"
    https://www.iranwatch.org/sanctions/european-union
  190. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-bahrain-security-iran/saudi-bahrain-add-irans-revolutionary-guards-to-terrorism-lists-idUSKCN1MX288
  191. The Wall Street Journal
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-designates-irans-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-a-foreign-terrorist-organization-11554733155
  192. "Will Canada also designate the IRGC as a foreign terrorist entity?"
    https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/iransource/will-canada-also-designate-the-irgc-as-a-foreign-terrorist-entity
  193. "Australia and the IRGC: Is a ban necessary?"
    https://aijac.org.au/featured/australia-and-the-irgc-is-a-ban-necessary/
  194. globalnews.ca
    https://globalnews.ca/news/9171749/canada-iran-sanctions-mahsa-amini-death-2/
  195. globalnews.ca
    https://globalnews.ca/news/9184757/iran-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-terrorism-list-mahsa-amini-protests/
  196. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/world/canada-ban-irans-irgc-leaders-entry-expand-sanctions-2022-10-07/
  197. Arab News
    https://www.arabnews.com/node/1622571/middle-east
  198. "Focus on the IRGC 'terror' designation in Iran nuclear talks"
    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/27/irgc-terror-designation-takes-centre-stage-in-iran-nuclear-talks
  199. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64156965
  200. "PV-9-2023-01-18-RCV_FR"
    https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/PV-9-2023-01-18-RCV_FR.pdf
  201. AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012
    https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/03/us-offers-syrian-government-conditions-limited-sanctions-relief
  202. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-26/iran-behind-antisemitic-attacks-asio-says/105697762
  203. WANA
    https://wanaen.com/ecuador-labels-irgc-as-terrorist-organization/
  204. Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
    https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-listed-state-sponsor-terrorism
  205. news.com.au
    https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/irans-revolutionary-guard-corp-listed-as-state-sponsor-of-terror-over-jewish-attacks/news-story/3588d0a43cdc0acd6e1c57adb87ddcba
  206. Foreign Policy
    https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/04/11/the-revolutionary-guards-are-ready-to-strike-back/
  207. The Wall Street Journal
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-labels-u-s-central-command-a-terrorist-organization-11554750204
  208. "Act of Terror: Information on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps"
    https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/irgc.html
  209. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/on-the-day-us-forces-killed-soleimani-they-launched-another-secret-operation-targeting-a-senior-iranian-official-in-yemen/2020/01/10/60f86dbc-3245-11ea-898f-eb846b7e9feb_story.html
  210. The Intercept
    https://theintercept.com/2020/01/10/us-strike-abdul-reza-shahlai-yemen/
  211. Military Times
    https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2019/12/05/us-offering-15-million-bounty-for-info-on-iranian-who-planned-2007-karbala-attack-that-killed-5-us-troops/
  212. Iran International
    https://www.iranintl.com/en/202406202970
  213. Al Arabiya English
    https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/06/21/iran-summons-italy-envoy-over-canada-sanctions
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.