Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
The IRGC was established in April 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini as a parallel military force loyal to the revolutionary ideals of the Islamic Republic, independent of Iran's regular army (Artesh). Today it is Iran's most powerful military institution, accountable directly to the Supreme Leader's office, not the elected government.
The IRGC comprises ground, naval, and air forces; the Basij (internal paramilitary militia); and the Quds Force — its external operations branch responsible for training and supporting proxy groups across West Asia, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Houthi forces in Yemen, and various Shia militias in Iraq and Syria.
- The IRGC is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States (since 2019), the European Union, Israel, Canada, and several Gulf states.
- The Quds Force is estimated to number 2,000–5,000 personnel and operates in over a dozen countries.
- Iran's retaliatory missile and drone strikes were conducted by IRGC forces, not the regular armed forces — underscoring the IRGC's role as Iran's primary instrument of power projection.
- The IRGC has also developed deep stakes in Iran's economy, controlling energy, construction, and food industries.
● Tracked since February 17, 2026 · last seen August 09, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes