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IRGC

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Definition

IRGC stands for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an Iranian military, political, and economic power center separate from the regular armed forces and tasked with defending the revolutionary system.

Background

Formed after the 1979 revolution, it has developed ground, naval, air, Basij, and Quds Force components and became deeply involved in Iranian security policy, domestic control, external influence, and economic networks.

Position

It is a key term for understanding the Iranian state, regional proxy networks, sanctions, repression, and succession politics.

Distinctions

  • The IRGC is not the same as Iran’s regular military, the Artesh.
  • It should be read as a regime institution with military, political, economic, and external influence, not merely as an army branch.

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A concept map for IRGC.

Page Context

  • From Khomeini to Khamenei
    Regime transition from Khomeini to Khamenei and reorganization of Iranian power structure 1. Executive Summary The Iranian regime after Khomeini's death was not simply "naturall...
    Quote: From Khomeini to Khamenei

    geopolitics

  • Power structure and governance structure after the Iranian revolution
    Power structure and governance structure after the Iranian revolution 1. Executive Summary After the 1979 revolution, Iran is neither a simple "religious state" nor a normal par...
    Quote: Power structure and governance structure after the Iranian revolution

    geopolitics

Pages

  • From Khomeini to Khamenei

    Starting with the succession and constitutional amendment in 1989, we will examine how the Khamenei regime was established and how its religious legitimacy, institutional design, Revolutionary Guards, and foreign policy changed.

    geopolitics

  • Power structure and governance structure after the Iranian revolution

    This paper examines the Iranian political system after the 1979 revolution, starting with the connections between the supreme leader, the Council of Experts, the Guardian Council, the judiciary, the Revolutionary Guards, and the electoral system.

    geopolitics