Who the Islamic Revolutionary Guards are and why they hold so much power in Iran

.

• The IRGC controls a quarter of Iran's economy and key sectors
• IRGC has 125,000-180,000 personnel and oversees multiple branches
• The Guards' decentralized structure ensures rapid crisis response

Did our AI summary help?

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, commonly known as the IRGC, was created after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. The country’s new leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, did not fully trust the existing military, which had served the Shah before the revolution.

To safeguard the new system, he built a parallel force whose main mission was not just national defence but protecting the revolution itself.

In its early years, the Guards were made up largely of members of neighbourhood committees and militias organized around mosques. The Iran-Iraq war that began in 1980 helped transform the group into a disciplined military force. During the conflict, the Guards began developing capabilities such as missile production and unconventional warfare.

Over time, the organisation evolved far beyond its original role, the New York Times reported.

More than a military force

Today the Guards are not just a branch of Iran’s armed forces. Analysts say they are deeply embedded in the country’s political and economic system.

The organization is believed to control at least a quarter of Iran’s economy, with influence extending across sectors such as construction, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications. Guard-linked companies build highways, dams and large development projects.

Sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program also pushed the Guards deeper into the economy. They became heavily involved in smuggling networks that moved goods and oil in and out of the country.

This mix of military power and economic reach has made the Guards one of the most influential institutions in Iran.

A powerful security network

The IRGC itself is estimated to have between 125,000 and 180,000 personnel. It operates several major branches, including ground forces, naval units and an aerospace division responsible for Iran’s missile program.

Another key arm is the Quds Force, which manages Iran’s operations beyond its borders and works with allied militias across the Middle East.

The Guards also oversee the Basij militia, a volunteer network that operates in neighbourhoods across Iran and plays a major role in maintaining internal security.

Together these forces form part of a broader security apparatus that analysts estimate could involve up to 1.5 million personnel across the country.

A system designed to survive crises

The Guards follow a decentralized command system sometimes described as a “mosaic” structure.

Under this approach, regional commanders across Iran’s provinces have a degree of autonomy. The goal is to ensure that the system continues functioning even if central leadership is disrupted.

This structure allows local units to respond quickly to threats such as protests or military attacks without waiting for orders from Tehran.

Analysts say this design was shaped by lessons from conflicts in the region and by Iran’s own experience suppressing large-scale protests.

Leadership and the future of the Guards

Recent Israeli and US strikes have killed several senior Guards commanders. Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was appointed to lead the organization in early March.

Vahidi is a veteran hardline figure who previously served as Iran’s defence and interior minister and was among the founding commanders of the Quds Force.

Looking ahead, many analysts believe the Guards will remain a central pillar of Iran’s political system. The organization has strong ties to Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei and widely seen as a possible successor.

While some members of the Guards come from ordinary conscript backgrounds, analysts say a core leadership group has built significant power and wealth within the system.

For that reason, many observers view the Revolutionary Guards as one of the strongest forces shaping Iran’s future, and one of the biggest obstacles to any major political change inside the country.