Tehran Confidential

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stands as the shield of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the military arm of the Supreme Leader. Also known as the Pasdaran, this entrenched power bloc—comprising roughly 120,000 personnel—exerts sweeping authority and is notorious for brutal repression of the populace. Alongside its involvement in smuggling and trafficking, the IRGC commands a sprawling economic empire valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Under Supreme Leader Khomeini, the organization has infiltrated state structures, with its members occupying roles as mayors, members of parliament, and ministers, cultivating their networks at the highest levels. The IRGC is responsible for Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and pursues a dual strategy: deterrence coupled with asymmetrical warfare via militias and terrorist organizations that it finances, arms, and controls across the Middle East.