● The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: Iran's elite military force created after the 1979 revolution to safeguard the new Islamic system.
● It has its own army, navy, air force, and overseas operations unit (the Quds Force) alongside Iran's regular military.
What is the IRGC's primary role?
●Protection of the Islamic Republic's regime and values, at home and abroad. It has greater influence over security policy than the regular armed forces.
How did the IRGC become so powerful?
● Its participation in the Iran-Iraq war solidified its status and importance.
●Through the Quds Force, it has built a network of allied militias throughout the Middle East, extending Iran's influence.
► The Quds Force: Special Operations
What does the Quds Force do?
●Carries out clandestine overseas operations, including supporting and arming groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories.
● Instrumental in aiding President Assad's regime during the Syrian civil war.
Why is the Quds Force such a significant part of the IRGC?
● It's the tool through which Iran projects power beyond its borders, often through proxy groups rather than direct military confrontation.
► Challenges and Conflicts
Why is the IRGC a target for Israel?
● Israel views Iran as its primary regional threat. It sees the IRGC-backed militias as extensions of Iranian power directly on Israel's borders.
● Israel carries out strikes against IRGC leaders in Syria to try and curb Iranian influence.
How has the IRGC responded to these attacks?
● Iran vows revenge and has launched retaliatory strikes but these have been limited in scale.
● The pressure is on Iran to respond more forcefully to maintain credibility with its allies and within the regime.
What is the U.S. stance on the IRGC?
● The U.S. considers the IRGC a terrorist organization, further escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
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