IRGC
Iran's Parallel Military Structure
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), established in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution, operates as a military force parallel to Iran's regular armed forces (Artesh). It has its own ground forces, navy, air force, and intelligence service, and controls Iran's ballistic missile programme and nuclear-related military activities. The IRGC Navy specifically controls operations in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, while the regular navy operates in open seas.
- Established: 22 April 1979, after the Islamic Revolution
- Estimated strength: 190,000-250,000 active personnel
- IRGC-Quds Force: external operations arm (active in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen)
- US designated IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) in April 2019
- IRGC controls significant economic interests including construction, telecoms, and energy sectors in Iran
- IRGC Navy specialises in asymmetric warfare: fast attack boats, mines, anti-ship missiles
● Tracked since February 16, 2026 · last seen June 11, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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