We use essential storage to run PoliticaHub. Under EU and Swedish rules, analytics and advertising stay off unless you actively allow them. Analytics includes Google Analytics plus Microsoft Clarity session recordings and heatmaps. Advertising consent is also required before any personalized Google ads can load. Privacy Policy.
The Sunday briefing, from North
One email a week. Elections worth watching, sharpest pages of the week, the thing most people misread about a country you'd recognise. No hot takes, no churn.
One email a week. Unsubscribe anytime — I don't take it personally.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Iran) | PoliticaHub
PoliticaHub Reference Sheet
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Institution · Printed April 28, 2026 · politicahub.com/institution/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps
Iran's ideological military force, established in 1979 to protect the Islamic revolution, parallel to and often more powerful than the regular armed forces. The IRGC commands the Quds Force (Iran's extraterritorial operations arm), controls significant economic enterprises, and plays a major role in domestic politics. It directly oversees Iran's ballistic missile program and its network of regional proxy forces in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. The IRGC is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.
Key Facts
founded year
1979
overview
The IRGC is Iran's dominant security and political-economic institution, controlling an estimated 20-40% of the Iranian economy through subsidiaries and front companies alongside its military functions. Its Quds Force — which manages extraterritorial operations and proxy relationships — has been the operational arm of Iran's regional strategy in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Gaza, and Yemen. The IRGC has systematically suppressed domestic protests, operates a separate intelligence apparatus (IRGC Intelligence Organization) parallel to the Ministry of Intelligence, and runs Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs. Its political influence within the Islamic Republic effectively places it above elected institutions in security and foreign policy matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When was the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps established?
A: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was established in 1979, about 47 years ago.
Q: Which country is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in?
A: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a political institution in Iran.
The IRGC is Iran's dominant security and political-economic institution, controlling an estimated 20-40% of the Iranian economy through subsidiaries and front companies alongside its military functions. Its Quds Force — which manages extraterritorial operations and proxy relationships — has been the operational arm of Iran's regional strategy in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Gaza, and Yemen. The IRGC has systematically suppressed domestic protests, operates a separate intelligence apparatus (IRGC Intelligence Organization) parallel to the Ministry of Intelligence, and runs Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs. Its political influence within the Islamic Republic effectively places it above elected institutions in security and foreign policy matters.
A: Iran's ideological military force, established in 1979 to protect the Islamic revolution, parallel to and often more powerful than the regular armed forces. The IRGC commands the Quds Force (Iran's extraterritorial operations arm), controls significant economic enterprises, and plays a major role in domestic politics. It directly oversees Iran's ballistic missile program and its network of regional proxy forces in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. The IRGC is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.
Iran's ideological military force, established in 1979 to protect the Islamic revolution, parallel to and often more powerful than the regular armed forces. The IRGC commands the Quds Force (Iran's extraterritorial operations arm), controls significant economic enterprises, and plays a major role in domestic politics. It directly oversees Iran's ballistic missile program and its network of regional proxy forces in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. The IRGC is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.
institution
IR
Visual Context
Related people, parties, or institutions mentioned in the page.
As an Amazon Associate, PoliticaHub earns from qualifying purchases (including Audible) at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps established?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was established in 1979, about 47 years ago.
Which country is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a political institution in Iran.
What is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps?
Iran's ideological military force, established in 1979 to protect the Islamic revolution, parallel to and often more powerful than the regular armed forces. The IRGC commands the Quds Force (Iran's extraterritorial operations arm), controls significant economic enterprises, and plays a major role in domestic politics. It directly oversees Iran's ballistic missile program and its network of regional proxy forces in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. The IRGC is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.
