With Khamenei dead and IRGC HQ destroyed, who is calling the shots in Iran’s most powerful force?

(FILES) A man holds a picture of slain Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and another of slain Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Qasem Soleimani during a memorial ceremony marking the 40th day of mourning for victims of "terrorism" killed in previous anti-government protests in Iran, at the Tehran Musalla on February 17, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

The US and Israel destroyed Iran’s IRGC headquarters and killed Supreme Leader Khamenei, leaving the IRGC leaderless. Iran formed an interim council, while IRGC units now act independently, vowing revenge and continuing operations under pre-approved directives.

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The United States military has confirmed that a major strike destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, in what officials described as a significant blow to Tehran’s military command structure.

The announcement came from US Central Command, which said the strike targeted the elite force that has long served as the backbone of Iran’s military and regional operations.

“The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years. Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. strike cut off the head of the snake. America has the most powerful military on earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

Israel also said it carried out coordinated strikes on dozens of Iranian military command centres. According to the Israeli military, targets included IRGC command facilities, intelligence headquarters, IRGC Air Force command centres and internal security headquarters. The attacks were described as dealing a severe blow to Iran’s command and control capabilities.

The strikes came a day after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported killed during the joint US-Israeli offensive.

Iran forms interim leadership council

In the aftermath of Khamenei’s death, Iran moved quickly to establish an interim political structure.

Iran appointed 66-year-old cleric Alireza Arafi to a three-member leadership council responsible for governing the country until a new supreme leader is chosen.

However, the situation inside Iran’s military apparatus is far more complicated. The IRGC, which reports directly to the supreme leader, suddenly finds itself without its traditional chain of command.

Why the IRGC is now effectively leaderless

The IRGC was created in May 1979 by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini following the Islamic Revolution. It was designed as a parallel military force separate from the conventional Iranian army, known as the Artesh.

According to a BBC report, the revolutionary leadership created two military institutions after the revolution. The regular army was tasked with defending Iran’s borders and maintaining internal order. The IRGC, also known as the Pasdaran, was created specifically to protect the Islamic system of government.

Crucially, the IRGC reports directly to the Supreme Leader rather than the civilian government.

With Khamenei gone, the organisation is now operating without its primary authority figure.

Foreign minister says units are acting independently

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged the unusual situation in an interview with Al Jazeera.

“What happened in Oman was not our choice. We have already told our armed forces to be careful about the targets they choose,” Araghchi said.

He then suggested that Iranian military units are now functioning with a high degree of autonomy.

“As a matter of fact, our military units are now in fact independent and somehow isolated, and they are acting based on instructions - you know, general instructions - given to them in advance,” he added.

Analysts say the remarks imply that Iranian forces, including the IRGC, may now be acting on contingency plans approved by Khamenei before his death.

According to the Associated Press, Araghchi’s comments could also be interpreted as an attempt by Tehran to distance the government from certain attacks while easing tensions with neighbouring Gulf states.

Why Iran’s situation is unusual

Contingency plans allowing military units to operate independently are not unusual during wartime.

However, the Associated Press notes that Iran represents a special case because of the immense power concentrated in the IRGC.

The force controls much of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and a large share of its drone fleet. It also oversees powerful paramilitary and intelligence networks.

Beyond its military role, the IRGC has developed into a major economic powerhouse.

Khamenei granted the organisation authority to expand into commercial activities ranging from construction and port operations to telecommunications and even healthcare businesses.

These resources mean the IRGC has both the funding and infrastructure to continue operating even in the absence of direct political leadership.

A powerful military force with multiple wings

The IRGC remains one of the most powerful institutions in Iran.

Although it has around 200,000 fewer troops than the conventional army, the BBC reports that it is widely considered the dominant military force in the country.

The organisation has its own ground forces, navy and air force.

It also runs the Quds Force, an elite unit responsible for covert operations and foreign military partnerships.

According to the Associated Press, the Quds Force played a key role in building what Iran calls the “Axis of Resistance” against the United States and Israel.

“It backed Syria's former President Bashar Assad, Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group, Yemen's Houthi rebels and other groups in the region, growing in power in the wake of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003,” the report said.

The IRGC also operates an intelligence service and a volunteer militia known as the Basij.

The Basij has often been deployed to suppress domestic protests inside Iran. During recent demonstrations, Basij members were seen using batons, firearms and pellet guns against protesters.

IRGC vows revenge

Despite the leadership vacuum, the IRGC has vowed retaliation for Khamenei’s assassination.

“The hand of revenge of the Iranian nation for a severe, decisive and regrettable punishment for the murderers of the Imam of the Ummah will not let go of them,” the Guards said on their Telegram channel.

The statement also promised continued resistance.

Iranian forces will “powerfully continue the path of their leader in defending his legacy, standing firm against internal and external plots and delivering what it described as a lesson-giving punishment to aggressors against the Islamic homeland”.

A military machine still in motion

For now, the IRGC appears to be operating under pre approved directives left by Khamenei while Iran’s political leadership transitions to a new supreme leader.

Given the organisation’s control over Iran’s missile forces, drones and regional proxy networks, analysts say it will remain the central actor in Tehran’s military response during this uncertain period.