Get to know the IRGC Troops, Guardians of Iran's Islamic Revolution

Behind the olive green uniforms and military parades, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is not merely the army of Iran.

This guard was born from the spirit of revolution, grew through war and sanctions, and this power has transformed into a state within a state that is untouched by the constitution.

Understanding the IRGC is to open the door to the true face of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a system that is safeguarded not only by weapons but also by unwavering conviction.

One morning in Tehran, the dusty streets and the sound of the call to prayer had not yet subsided when a group of neatly dressed teenagers walked into the schoolyard.

In between lessons in mathematics and Hafez's poetry, they also received light military training and lectures on the spirit of the Islamic revolution.

This is where the IRGC begins its role, namely not just an armed force, but the architect of the political and ideological loyalty of the next generation of Iranians.

Established in 1979 under the direct orders of Ayatollah Khomeini, the IRGC was born amidst the euphoria and chaos following the revolution. The newly formed Islamic Republic felt the need to create a force that would not only maintain security but also uphold the sacred values of the revolution.

The regular military, with traces of loyalty to the Shah and it was from this doubt that the IRGC was formed as the hardline guardian of the state ideology.

At that time, the regular Iranian military (Artesh) was considered not entirely trustworthy as it was still rooted in the monarchical regime. Thus, the IRGC became an alternative force that was directly accountable to the Supreme Leader of Iran, rather than to the president or parliament.

This function makes the IRGC a very powerful political and religious force within the Iranian state structure.

In the first few years, the IRGC played a role in suppressing counter-revolutionary groups, dealing with unrest in the Kurdish region, and maintaining internal stability.

Over time, this force evolved into an independent military organization, with leadership emerging from revolution loyalists. Since then, the IRGC has established its role as a "state within a state," operating in the fields of military, economy, and even foreign policy.

The Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) became a proving ground for the IRGC. During the eight-year conflict, the IRGC transformed from a semi-paramilitary force into a structured military institution.

During eight years of conflict, the IRGC not only endured but also grew. They learned military strategies, built their own logistics, and instilled tales of heroism that have now become the collective memory of the nation.

It was there that legendary commanders were born, who would later play an important role not only in Iran, but throughout the Middle East.

In addition to open warfare, the IRGC is also involved in asymmetric warfare through cyberattacks, sabotage, and arms smuggling. Their missile and drone capabilities are often tested in tensions with Israel, the US, and Saudi Arabia.

The IRGC also manages Iran's ballistic missile development program, which became one of the reasons for international sanctions against Tehran later on.

These forces spread from Baghdad to Beirut, from Damascus to Sana'a. Their diplomacy is not conducted at the negotiating table, but in the war-torn streets and militia camps.

Soleimani, clad in a black cloak and a faint smile, is better known on the streets of Syria than the Iranian diplomats themselves. He was not merely a commander, but a symbol of how the IRGC transcended national boundaries and became a geopolitical force.

When he was killed by a US drone in Baghdad in 2020, millions of people took to the streets, and the world realized one thing: the influence of the IRGC is not just a shadow, but real.

The IRGC has a command structure that is separate and independent from the regular military of Iran. Its highest command is directly under the Supreme Leader, making them accountable to a single central figure in the Iranian political system. This allows the IRGC to operate freely from civilian oversight and other state institutions.

Organizationally, the IRGC is divided into several main branches, namely the Ground Forces, Navy, and Air Force, in addition to the Quds Force and Basij.

Each branch has a specific role and extensive operational infrastructure, including bases, combat units, and its own logistics system. The IRGC also has an internal intelligence system that monitors the loyalty of its cadres and prevents infiltration.

The Quds Force has become the most mysterious branch due to its involvement in sensitive overseas operations. They carry out missions including militia training, arms shipments, and coordination of geopolitical strategies with Iran's allies abroad.

The closed structure and operational flexibility make the IRGC an unrivaled military-political force in Iran's governing system.

The IRGC is not only a military machine but also an economic force. In Iran, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the state and the IRGC. They control strategic infrastructure projects, such as toll roads, dams, refineries, as well as the management of ports and mines.

Through companies like Khatam al-Anbia, the IRGC obtains contracts worth billions of dollars from governments without open tenders.

They built bridges, tunnels, and even provided electricity to remote areas. While the private sector suffers due to international sanctions, the IRGC thrives under the auspices of power.

Their business network is not only extensive but also hidden. In the black market, they manage unofficial oil exports, engage in trade with ostracized countries, and utilize shadow financial systems to evade sanctions. Behind the banner of revolution, they operate their own style of capitalism.

In the civil government, many former IRGC officers became governors, ministers, and even presidents. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a prime example of this.

He is a former Basij engineer who rose to power with strong support from the IRGC. In other words, their influence does not stop on the battlefield but extends into the realm of national politics.

Behind the weapons and business, there is one thing that makes the IRGC very different because its mission is not to protect the land, but to safeguard the spirit of the revolution.

In the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih (a political and legal concept that serves as the foundation for the government system in the Islamic Republic of Iran), they are obligated to protect the supremacy of the clergy.

This function strengthens their ideological influence over the younger generation and more conservative groups in society.

In many demonstrations and domestic political crises, the Basij was deployed to maintain the status quo and intimidate the opposition.

It is not surprising that in every wave of protests, ranging from students demanding freedom to housewives protesting food prices, Basij and IRGC are present with batons and tear gas.

They are not only soldiers but also moral police and the last bastion of the system. In the eyes of the people, the IRGC can be seen as either a protector or an oppressor, depending on the perspective from which they are viewed.

The IRGC, in many ways, is an enigma. The West labels them as terrorists, but in many Shia countries, they are regarded as saviors. The United States officially designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization in 2019.

Sanctions were imposed, assets frozen, and their financial networks besieged. But instead of collapsing, the IRGC adapted.

They formed an informal alliance network, strengthening ties with Russia and China, and creating a self-sufficient system that is resilient to external pressures. In the Strait of Hormuz, they continue to challenge foreign vessels and project power with confidence.

With proxy networks from Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Hashd al-Shaabi militia in Iraq, to the Houthis in Yemen, the IRGC has transformed into a transnational force.

They engage in flagless warfare, diplomacy without negotiations, and influence without official recognition. The world condemns, but also recalibrates, for in every Middle Eastern conflict, there is always the shadow of the IRGC.

More than four decades after the revolution, the IRGC remains steadfast, even growing stronger. They not only withstand external pressures but also internal changes. When reformists attempt to open the window of democracy, it is the IRGC that keeps the door tightly closed.

However, such immense power does not come without burdens. Many Iranians, especially the younger generation, view the IRGC as a symbol of rigidity, violence, and a repressive past. They demand reforms, transparency, and freedoms that have long been restricted in the name of stability.

Within the secret corridors of the IRGC, rumors echo regarding the presence of American and Israeli secret agents who have successfully penetrated Iran's intelligence layers for years.

Referring to the official announcement in February 2025, the commander of the IRGC in Mazandaran stated that they have captured and dismantled a spy cell that was actively infiltrating the military and sensitive IRGC facilities.

On one hand, this issue has triggered a wave of internal "clean-up" actions, the detention of internal officials, and has also caused deep paranoia regarding loyalty within the Iranian military.

On the other hand, this issue could be a mere propaganda tool to strengthen the narrative that the IRGC is always overshadowed by foreign threats.

Moreover, the Israel-Iran conflict is no longer just a strategic contest between countries, but a stage for the IRGC to demonstrate its symbolic power.

Behind the scenes, the IRGC orchestrates movements like a maestro conducting a symphony of an unending war: directing proxies, setting the tempo, and determining when the high notes are played.

From the skies of Gaza to the Golan Heights, their fingerprints are evident in missile attacks, militia training, and shadow diplomacy that shake the geopolitical map.

For the IRGC, this is not just a response, but a continuation of a grand narrative of resistance inherited since 1979.

In addition to being a product of history, the IRGC is also a future actor. As long as Iran firmly holds onto its revolution, the IRGC will continue to be a shadow that accompanies it.

From within the fog of conflict, the IRGC continues to move, not always visible, but always present. They shape the course of history in ways that only they understand. (KOMPAS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT)