The Hindu: Published on 15th Jan 2026:
Why in News?
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has once again come under intense international scrutiny following its alleged central role in the violent crackdown on ongoing protests inside Iran. Western governments, human rights organisations, and policy analysts accuse the IRGC of orchestrating systematic repression, including the use of lethal force against demonstrators. The renewed focus also comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and Iran-backed militant groups across West Asia, as well as fresh debates in Europe and Australia about formally designating the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.
Background and Origin of the IRGC:
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, known in Persian as Pasdaran, was established in 1979 in the immediate aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. It was created by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini with the explicit purpose of safeguarding and propagating the ideals of the Islamic Revolution. Unlike Iran’s conventional army (Artesh), the IRGC was conceived as an ideological force loyal not to the state but directly to the Supreme Leader and the revolutionary system (Velayat-e-Faqih).
Over time, the IRGC evolved from a revolutionary militia into a powerful parallel military institution. Today, it commands land, naval, and aerospace forces, possesses advanced missile capabilities, and operates elite units such as the Quds Force, responsible for overseas operations. Its estimated strength ranges from 1,50,000 to 2,00,000 personnel, making it one of the most influential armed bodies in the Middle East.
Organisational Structure and Leadership:
The IRGC answers directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, bypassing civilian oversight and elected institutions. Its leadership is entirely appointed by the Supreme Leader, reinforcing its role as a political and ideological instrument rather than a neutral military body.
In June, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed Mohammad Pakpour, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, as the new commander following the killing of Hossein Salami during the first day of the recent conflict with Israel. This leadership change underscores how deeply the IRGC is embedded in Iran’s regional military posture and security doctrine.
Economic Power: “An Empire Within an Empire”:
Beyond its military role, the IRGC has entrenched itself deeply in Iran’s economy. Analysts describe it as an “empire within an empire” due to its near-monopolistic control over strategic sectors such as infrastructure, energy, construction, telecommunications, finance, and technology. Through front companies and semi-state enterprises, the IRGC dominates major development projects, ports, oil and gas facilities, and trade routes.
Its annual budget is estimated at $6–9 billion, accounting for roughly 40% of Iran’s official military spending. This economic power not only insulates the IRGC from domestic political pressures but also enables it to fund foreign operations and allied militias, despite international sanctions.
Operational Methods and Intelligence Network:
The IRGC maintains one of the most extensive intelligence networks within Iran. Experts note that it has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to dismantle protest movements swiftly by identifying organisers and leaders within minutes. Surveillance, cyber monitoring, informant networks, and rapid-response units form the backbone of its internal security operations.
A crucial tool in this repression apparatus is the Basij paramilitary force, which operates under the IRGC’s authority. The Basij is recruited largely from young Iranians and is embedded in universities, workplaces, mosques, and neighbourhoods. Estimates suggest between 6,00,000 and 9,00,000 Basij members nationwide, making it a pervasive instrument of ideological enforcement and social control.
Role in the Crackdown on Protests:
Human rights organisations and independent observers agree that the IRGC plays a central role in suppressing protests. While local police and Basij units initially handle demonstrations, the IRGC directs strategy and escalates force when unrest persists.
According to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, at least 734 people have been killed during the recent protests, though the actual number is believed to be significantly higher. Analysts argue that the IRGC follows a “zero-tolerance” approach toward dissent, viewing protests not as civil unrest but as existential threats to the regime’s survival.
Reports also suggest that IRGC personnel often operate in civilian clothing to obscure their involvement and reduce international accountability for human rights violations.
Regional and International Role:
The IRGC, particularly through its Quds Force, serves as Iran’s primary conduit to regional allies and proxy groups. These include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shiite militias in Iraq, and other Iran-aligned armed groups across Syria and Yemen. This network allows Tehran to project power beyond its borders while maintaining plausible deniability.
Western governments accuse the IRGC of destabilising the Middle East through arms transfers, training, and financial support to non-state actors, contributing to prolonged regional conflicts.
Terrorist Designation Debate:
In 2019, the United States formally designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organisation, a first for a state military entity. Australia followed suit in November, citing the IRGC’s alleged involvement in arson attacks targeting the Jewish community in 2024.
In Europe, the debate is ongoing. Several European Parliament members and national governments have called for the IRGC—or at least its Quds Force—to be designated a terrorist group to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Tehran. Germany, in particular, is reportedly supportive of listing the Quds Force, which it has linked to a 2021 attack on a German synagogue.
Key Issues and Concerns:
The IRGC raises multiple concerns for the international community: persistent human rights violations, erosion of civilian governance in Iran, destabilisation of regional security, and the blurring of lines between state power and militant activity. Its economic dominance also hampers Iran’s prospects for reform by crowding out private enterprise and reinforcing patronage networks loyal to the regime.
Implications and Way Forward:
The growing international focus on the IRGC highlights a broader dilemma: how to pressure Iran’s power centres without further harming ordinary Iranians. Expanded sanctions or terrorist designations may increase diplomatic isolation but could also strengthen hardliners within the regime.
Domestically, the IRGC remains a cornerstone of regime survival. As long as it controls military force, intelligence, and economic resources, meaningful political change in Iran will remain extremely difficult. Internationally, the future of engagement with Iran—whether through diplomacy, sanctions, or containment—will continue to hinge significantly on how the IRGC is addressed.
