Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) (Persian: سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی or Sepâh for short) is a military branch of the Iranian government Armed Forces. It was founded after the Iranian Revolution on April 22, 1979[1] by order of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.[2]
| Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps | |
|---|---|
| سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی | |
 Emblem of the IRGC | |
| Active | May 5, 1979 – present |
| Country |  Iran |
| Allegiance | Supreme Leader of Iran |
| Branch | Ground Forces, Aerospace Force, Navy, Quds Force, Basij |
| Type | Multidisciplinary military force |
| Role | Protecting the Islamic Republic system; Internal security; Ballistic missile program |
| Size | ~190,000 active personnel ~350,000–600,000 Basij volunteers |
| Garrison/HQ | Tehran, Iran |
| Nickname(s) | Sepah or Pasdaran |
| Motto(s) | (Arabic: وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ) "And prepare against them whatever force you can" |
| Engagements | Iran–Iraq War Syrian Civil War 2026 Iran war |
History
Ayatollah Khomeini, the first leader of the Islamic Republic, was the founder of the IRGC.[3] He did not wholly believe in the old army as they had been serving the King (the Shah) prior to the revolution.[4] He desired a new army of troops who could be loyal only to the new religious government.[5]
Gradually, the IRGC developed into a large group of volunteers to a mega organization, having its own army, navy and air force.
Main Branches
The IRGC consists of five divisions:
- Ground Forces: The land army.
- Aerospace Force: They are handling the planes and the impressive arsenal of missiles possessed by Iran.
- Navy: They are in charge of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.
- The Basij: This is a volunteer internal security and policing organization.
- The Quds Force: this is a special organization operating beyond Iran. They operate with other countries groups such as Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
Power and Influence
The IRGC is not only a military. Elsewhere it is powerful:[6]
- Politics: Many senior government officials in Iran were former officers of the IRGC.[7]
- Economy: The IRGC possesses or runs numerous businesses, such as construction enterprises, oil enterprises and telecommunications.[8]
- Security: It is their role to prevent demonstrations and maintain peace within Iran.[9]
Recent Events (2025–2026)
Around the end of 2025 and early 2026, the IRGC acquired the position of the most significant element of the Iranian government. After the demise of the then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the IRGC played a central role in determining the new leader of the country.
Due to its involvement in foreign wars and perpetration of protests on its home territory, the IRGC has been considered a terrorist group by many nations and groups (such as the United States, Canada, and the European Union).
Key Facts Table
| Feature | Information |
| Founded | May 5, 1979 |
| Headquarters | Tehran, Iran |
| Current Leader | Ahmad Vahidi (since 2025) |
| Reports To | The Supreme Leader of Iran |
| Purpose | To protect the Islamic Revolution |
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Media
IRGC naval special forces of SNSF during the Great Prophet IX exercise
Toofan MRAPs during the Sacred Defense Parade, 2019
IRGC Ground Forces conducting training exercises in May 2025
Gathering of Basij volunteers, 2013
Launch of the Qased SLV
FS313-01 Shahid Soleimani in 2022 during the Sacred Defence Week parade
Karrar main battle tank of the IRGC-GF, participating in the Great Prophet XVII military exercise
President Ali Khamenei visiting a battlefield during the Iran–Iraq War, August 1988
Military parade in Qom, Iran, commemorating Sacred Defence Week, 22 September 2023
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References
- ↑ staff, writer. How was IRGC founded?. Tasnim news Agency. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ↑ IISS Military Balance 2006, Routledge for the IISS, London, 2006, p. 187
- ↑ "U.S. intelligence says Iran’s regime is consolidating power" (in en-US). The Washington Post. 2026-03-16. . https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/16/iran-regime-intelligence-irgc-war/. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- ↑ Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facts for kids (in en). kids.kiddle.co. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ Stahle, Madeline. Mojtaba Khamenei’s Iran and the Politics of Succession (in en). Gulf International Forum (2026-03-24). Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) | Council on Foreign Relations (in en). www.cfr.org (2026-01-30). Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- ↑ What is Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Why is it Designated a Terror Group by the US, EU? | AJC (in en). www.ajc.org (2026-01-30). Retrieved 2026-03-25.
