Gravitas Plus: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Summary
TLDRIn 1979, Iran's new regime formed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to protect the Islamic regime. The IRGC, initially created to defend against internal and external threats, has since expanded its influence across military, political, and economic sectors in Iran and West Asia. The force includes multiple branches, such as the elite Quds Force and the Basij militia, and has been involved in various controversial activities, leading to its designation as a terrorist organization by several countries. The IRGC's extensive control over Iran's economy and its involvement in international conflicts underscore its significant power.
Takeaways
- 🌍 The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was established in 1979 after the Islamic Revolution to defend Iran's new regime.
- 🛡️ The IRGC was created on the orders of Ayatollah Khomeini, the first Supreme Leader of Iran, to protect the Islamic regime from internal and external threats.
- 🏛️ Over time, the IRGC has grown beyond its original role, now exerting control over Iran's foreign policy, economy, society, military operations, and politics.
- 📊 The IRGC is often described as a 'regime within a regime,' with significant influence across Iran and the broader West Asia region.
- ⚔️ The IRGC has multiple branches, including the Basij militia, the elite Quds Force, and divisions across Iran's provinces, which contribute to its vast power and reach.
- 💼 The IRGC also operates as a business conglomerate, controlling a large portion of Iran's economy, with involvement in various sectors such as construction, engineering, and manufacturing.
- 🕵️ The Quds Force, a specialized branch of the IRGC, is responsible for unconventional warfare and military intelligence, particularly in supporting non-state actors in West Asia.
- 🚫 The IRGC has been accused of numerous violations, including cyberattacks, espionage, and supporting terrorist organizations, leading to its designation as a terrorist group by countries like the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
- 💸 The IRGC generates significant revenue, with estimates suggesting it controls nearly two-thirds of Iran's economy, making it a powerful economic force as well.
- 🔧 The IRGC’s construction arm, Khatam al-Anbia, is a major contractor for industrial and developmental projects in Iran, further solidifying its economic and political influence.
Q & A
What was the purpose of forming the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)?
-The IRGC was formed to defend the Islamic regime established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution from both internal and external threats.
Who ordered the formation of the IRGC?
-The formation of the IRGC was ordered by Ayatollah Khomeini, the first Supreme Leader of Iran.
How has the role of the IRGC evolved over time?
-The IRGC has evolved from defending the regime to having a significant influence over Iran's foreign policy, economy, military operations, and politics, effectively becoming a regime within a regime.
What are some recent activities the IRGC has been accused of?
-Recent accusations against the IRGC include harassing American ships, transporting weapons to Hezbollah, targeting oil tankers, and being involved in cyber attacks and espionage.
Which countries have designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization?
-Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United States have designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
What is the Quds Force, and what is its role?
-The Quds Force is an elite unit within the IRGC responsible for unconventional warfare and military intelligence operations, primarily focusing on supporting non-state actors across West Asia.
What are some non-state actors supported by the Quds Force?
-The Quds Force supports groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Palestine, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shia militias in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
How does the IRGC control a significant portion of Iran's economy?
-The IRGC controls a significant portion of Iran's economy through various sectors such as construction, engineering, real estate, and manufacturing. Its construction arm, Khatam al-Anbiya, holds numerous contracts for large infrastructure projects.
What are bonyads, and how do they relate to the IRGC?
-Bonyads are charitable foundations that operate as large holding companies, often used by the IRGC to control economic and societal aspects within Iran and to enrich the clerical leadership.
What actions has the IRGC taken against anti-government protests in Iran?
-The IRGC has launched crackdowns against anti-government protests, including arrests, detentions, and even conducting missile and drone strikes, particularly in the Kurdish region.
Outlines
🇮🇷 Rise of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
In 1979, the Islamic Revolution led to the establishment of the IRGC, an elite paramilitary force of the Iranian Armed Forces, on the orders of Ayatollah Khomeini. Initially aimed at defending the Islamic regime from internal and external threats, the IRGC has since expanded its influence to control Iran's foreign policy, society, economy, military operations, and politics. This force is now seen as a 'regime within a regime,' with a powerful network across West Asia. Understanding the IRGC is crucial to understanding Iran.
⚔️ IRGC's Role and Recent Controversies
The IRGC, recognized as the most powerful paramilitary organization in West Asia, has been involved in numerous controversial activities. It has been accused of harassing American ships, transporting weapons to Hezbollah, and engaging in various illegal operations. The IRGC has been designated as a terrorist organization by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, with the latter offering a $15 million reward for information about its activities. This highlights the IRGC's significant power and the global concern over its actions.
📜 Historical Roots and Evolution of the IRGC
The IRGC was formed to curb the power of Iran's military, which the clergy feared could launch a coup. The new regime created a constitutionally legitimate IRGC alongside the regular army. Initially a domestic force quelling protests, the IRGC gained prominence during the Iran-Iraq War. It now comprises 31 divisions and several wings, including Basij, a plainclothes militia that enforces Sharia law and suppresses dissent. The IRGC's structure and operations have grown significantly over the years.
🛡️ The Strength and Scope of the IRGC
The IRGC boasts 90,000 regulars and over 300,000 reservists. Its elite Quds Force conducts special operations and supports non-state actors like Hezbollah and Hamas. With a presence across West Asia, the IRGC also has aerospace, naval, ground force units, a nuclear command, and an intelligence agency. Its overall strength exceeds 250,000 personnel, half of Iran's armed forces. The IRGC's influence extends beyond defense, controlling vast sectors of Iran's economy and executing major construction projects.
🏢 IRGC's Economic and Political Influence
The IRGC controls a significant portion of Iran's economy, with Western estimates suggesting it holds sway over two-thirds of the market. Its construction arm, Khatam al-Anbia, handles numerous major projects. Additionally, Bonyads, charitable foundations, act as holding companies enriching clerics and maintaining societal control. The IRGC's annual revenue is estimated at $12 billion, illustrating its role as a business conglomerate with significant political and economic power.
🚨 IRGC's Role in Recent Protests and International Implications
In response to recent anti-hijab protests in Iran, the IRGC has launched a severe crackdown, especially in the Kurdistan region. The force has conducted numerous attacks, arrests, and killings to suppress dissent. The global community's support for the Iranian movement requires addressing the IRGC's atrocities, dismantling its financial structure, and curbing its illicit activities across West Asia. The IRGC's actions highlight the urgent need for international intervention.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Islamic Revolution
💡Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
💡Ayatollah Khomeini
💡Basij
💡Quds Force
💡Economy
💡Terrorist Designation
💡Deep State
💡Khatam al-Anbiya
💡Anti-Hijab Protests
Highlights
The Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 established a paramilitary force known as the Army of Guardians of the Islamic Revolution.
The world knows this force as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Formed on the orders of Ayatollah Khomeini, the first supreme leader of Iran, to defend his regime from internal and external threats.
The IRGC has grown to control significant aspects of Iran's foreign policy, society, economy, military, and politics.
The IRGC has become a regime within a regime, acting as a visible manifestation of a deep state.
Its influence extends across West Asia, with a network that reaches into various countries.
The IRGC has been involved in numerous controversial activities, including harassing American ships, carrying weapons for Hezbollah, and targeting oil tankers.
Designated as a terrorist organization by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, with the US offering a $15 million reward for information about the IRGC's operations.
The IRGC was created to curb the power of the regular military and ensure loyalty to the regime.
During the Iran-Iraq War in 1980, the IRGC played a central role, leading to its expansion into 31 divisions.
The IRGC includes various branches like the Basij militia, Quds Force, aerospace force, navy wing, ground force unit, nuclear command core, and a separate intelligence agency.
The IRGC controls nearly two-thirds of Iran's economy, dominating sectors like construction, engineering, and manufacturing.
The IRGC's construction arm, Khatam al-Anbia, manages over 812 companies within Iran and abroad.
The IRGC operates like a business conglomerate with significant financial resources, estimated to have an annual revenue of $12 billion.
The IRGC has launched a massive crackdown on anti-hijab protesters, particularly in Kurdistan, conducting missile and drone strikes.
To support the movement in Iran, the world must address the IRGC's atrocities, financial structure, and illicit activities.
Transcripts
in 1979 when the Islamic revolution
swept through Iran the new regime
established a paramilitary force
an elite wing of the Iranian Armed
Forces
they named it
on a inglab a islami
in Persian this means the army of
Guardians of the Islamic revolution
that is what the Iranians call it
but the world knows this Force as the
Iranian revolutionary guard Corps a
force formed on the orders of Iota
Khamenei the first supreme leader of
Iran
the aim was to defend his Islamic regime
from both internal and external trips
but today this Force has outsized its
role and outstretched its purpose it has
a say in almost everything it executes
Iran's foreign policy wields control
over the society runs vast segments of
the economy looks after the military
operations even dictates the country's
politics
to put it simply this Force has become a
regime within a regime
a visible manifestation of a deep state
its power reaches into Iran's furthest
corners
its network runs across the length and
widths of West Asia
some even say that you cannot understand
Iran without understanding this Force
so we decided to understand it hello and
welcome you are watching gravitas plus
with me Molly gampir and this is the
story of the irgc
the Iranian revolutionary God called the
most powerful paramilitary organization
in West Asia
it has been making headlines off late
and for all the wrong reasons let me
show you some headlines
on the 6th of December the irgc Navy was
accused of harassing American ships in
the Strait of Hormuz
on the 8th of December reports said that
irgc flights to Beirut were apparently
carrying weapons for Hezbollah
on the 28th of November a Canadian Court
declared that irgc is a listed terrorist
group
and on the 19th of November a drone
launched from an irgc base targeted a
Liberian flagged oil tanker now these
were just a few instances there are many
more the irgc have been accused of
various violations crimes cyber attacks
and Espionage operations
this is why it has been designated a
terrorist organization by some countries
and which countries are these
there are a total of three Bahrain Saudi
Arabia and the United States
the United States has even offered a 15
million reward to anyone who offers
information about the irgc and its
operations
this just gives you an idea about the
might of this body the question is how
did it become so powerful and to answer
that we'll have to go back in history
the 1970s to be precise
this was a time when Iran was still a
secular monarchy it was ruled by shama
mother
the Shah relied on the military might to
safeguard his rule he also maintained a
secret police to enforce his will and
when the Shah was toppled the secret
police was dissolved the military on the
other hand was spared
but the clergy did not trust the
military
they feared it could launch a coup
and so to curb the military's power and
consolidate their rule they formed the
irgc a force loyal to the regime not the
country that's not all they even
produced a new Constitution which
provided for both a regular army or
artesh and a separate revolutionary
guard cold or sipai pazdaran
what this basically meant was that the
irgc was given both a constitutionally
legitimate existence and the legal right
to take political decisions
initially the group operated as a
domestic Force quelling the protests
against the regime
but things changed in 1980 when Saddam
Hussein invaded Iran
the rulers who did not trust the
military let this Force take center
stage in the war
and since then the irgc has expanded
into 31 divisions one each for Iran's 30
provinces and a Central Division in
Tehran
besides this the body also has a command
structure with various wings and
branches spread across Iran
the first one is busage or plain clothes
militia
it is a wing that looks after civil
Affairs the most visible symbol of the
irgc strengths
officers can be seen on the streets
daily maintaining Law and Order
enforcing the Sharia law and suppressing
any signs of descent
today this Force has a strength of 90
000 regulars and over 300 000 reservists
who are summoned in times of crisis
the second branch of the irgc is the
elite Goods Force
in Persian Goods means Pure or holy
this is a special operations unit
responsible for unconventional warfare
and Military Intelligence operations
think of it like a combination of
America's CIA and its joint Special
Operations Command the codes primarily
looking after extra territorial
operations and supporting non-state
actors in many countries
which non-state actors
mainly organizations like Hezbollah in
Lebanon Hamas in Palestine the
Palestinian Islamic Jihad the hudis in
Yemen and Shia militias in Iraq
Syria and Afghanistan how strong is this
Force
last we checked it comprised of around
two thousand to five thousand members
they function all over West Asia and
their operations are shrouded in secrecy
besides these two the irgc also has an
aerospace force a Navy Wing a ground
force unit a nuclear command core and a
separate intelligence agency
if we put all these wings and branches
together the overall strength of the
irgc ends up being over 250
000. that is nearly half the strength of
Iran's Armed Forces
which stands at 610
000 personnel and yet the irgc is way
more powerful than the Armed Forces
primarily because it's not just a
Defense Force it also controls a huge
slice of the Iranian economy
it's impossible to gauge how much
but Western estimates say the irgc
controls nearly two-thirds of Iran's
economy two-thirds
how exactly well the irgc virtually
controls every sector of the Iranian
market construction engineering
automobile real estate manufacturing all
of it
Reports say that in 2019 this
organization has been awarded over 750
contracts in different construction
fields and this includes dams highways
tunnels water supply systems and oil
pipelines
these contracts are mostly executed by
the khatam al-ambia the construction arm
of the irgc which controls 812
registered companies both within Iran
and outside
Reports say that today this body is the
most powerful wing of the irgc the
largest contractor for industrial and
developmental projects
the irgc also operates in part through
boneyards these are ostensibly
charitable foundations that operate as
huge holding companies they are used for
the enrichment of the clerics and to
maintain control over the Civil Society
next question
how much money does this body earn
according to the Los Angeles Times the
irgc has an annual revenue of 12 billion
dollars 12 billion there's no saying how
much of this goes into the coffers of
the clerics
what does this tell you
that the irgc runs like a corporation if
basically a business conglomerate with
guns
a conglomerate that has once again
strung into action courtesy the ongoing
anti-hijr protests in Iran
Reports say the irgc have launched a
massive Crackdown against the protesters
especially in Kurdistan a region that is
slowly becoming a refuge for Iranians
fleeing the government retaliation
the irgc is bombing this region
conducting missile and drone strikes one
such strike took place on the 14th of
November when two facilities belonging
to a Kurdish dissident group were bombed
and since then there have been a
plethora of attacks arrests detentions
and killings most of them have been
carried out by the irgc
my point is simple if the world wants to
support the ongoing movement in Iran
it will first have to call out the
atrocities of the irgc it will have to
work on dismantling this body's
Financial structure
it's illicit activities in West Asia
and its vast network of operatives all
over the world
[Music]
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