Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution

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The Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (Persian: سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی , Sepāh e Pāsdārān e Enqelāb e Eslāmi, also Sepāh) also known as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is a branch of Iran's military, founded after the Iranian revolution.[1] Sepāh has 125,000 military personnel including ground, air and naval forces. It also controls the paramilitary Basij militia which has 90,000 active personnel,[2] and in recent years has developed into a "multibillion-dollar business empire."[3] The Chief Commander of the Guardians is Mohammad Ali Jafari, who was preceded by Yahya Rahim Safavi.

Like many young Iranians during the 1980-88 Iran–Iraq War, Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was a member of the Army of Guardians, in the Basij militia. In recent years the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has become a vast military-based conglomerate. It is active in oil and gas, telecom, and farming, to name a few sections, and has considerable economic and political influence [4]. The Guard's expanding economic role is mirrored by an even greater role in politics and security since the presidential election in June 2009 [5].

Since its origin as an ideologically driven militia,[6] the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution has taken an ever more assertive role in virtually every aspect of Iranian society. Its expanded social, political, military, and economic role under president Ahmadinejad's administration — especially during the 2009 presidential election and post-election suppression of protest — has led many analysts to argue that its political power has surpassed even that of the Shiite clerical system.[3][7] [8] [9]

Contents

[edit] Terminology

In Iran, due to the frequent use of referencing government organizations with one word names (that generally denotes their function) as opposed to acronyms or shortened versions, the general populace universally refer to the organization as Sepāh (Army). Although Artesh also means army as well, Sepāh has a connotation that is more security driven as opposed to Artesh, which is more militaristic, and henceforth, is used to refer to the general Armed Forces. However the Iranian Government, media, and those who identify to the organization generally use Sepāh e Pāsdārān (Army of Guardians), although it is not uncommon to hear Pāsdārān e Enqelāb (پاسداران انقلاب) (Revolutionary Guards), or simply Pāsdārān (پاسداران) (Guardians) as well.

The United States Government and the English-speaking media usually use the term Iranian Revolutionary Guards ("IRG").[10] In the US media, the force is frequently referred to as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps ("IRGC"),[11][12][13], although this force is rarely described as a "corps" by non-US media.

[edit] Size and structure

Branches & Manpower
Quds Force estimated 2,000 or anywhere from 3,000 to 50,000[14][15][16]
Basij 90,000 full-time, 300,000 reservists, 1,000,000 potential strength (2005 est.)[17]
IRGC Navy 20,000 (2005 est.)[18]
IRGC Air Force (unknown)
IRGC Ground Forces ~125,000 (2005 estimates)[citation needed]
Commander in Chief
Mohammed Ali Jafari

The IRGC is a combined arms force with its own ground forces, navy, air force, intelligence[19], and special forces. It also controls the Basij militia, which has a potential strength of eleven million. The Basij is a volunteer-based force, with 90,000 regular soldiers and 300,000 reservists. The IRGC is officially recognized as a component of the Iranian military under Article 150 of the Iranian Constitution.[20] It is separate from, and parallel to, the other arm of the Iran's military, which is called Artesh (another Persian word for army).

The IRGC controls the borders of Iran. This is a source for much of the widespread corruption commonly known throughout the IRGC.

The IISS Military Balance 2007 says the IRGC has 125,000+ personnel and controls the Basij on mobilisation.[21] It estimates the IRGC Ground and Air Forces are 100,000 strong and is 'very lightly manned' in peacetime. It estimates there are up to 20 infantry divisions, some independent brigades, and one airborne brigade.[22]

The IISS estimates the IRGC Naval Forces are 20,000 strong including 5,000 Marines in one brigade of three or four Marine Battalions.[23], and are equipped with some coastal defence weapons (some HY-2/CSS-C-3 Seersucker SSM batteries and some artillery batteries) and 50 patrol boats (including 10 Chinese Houdang fast attack craft). The IRGC air arm, says the IISS, controls Iran's strategic missile force and has an estimated one brigade of Shahab-1/2 with 12-18 launchers, and a Shahab-3 unit. The IISS says of the Shahab-3 unit 'estimated 1 battalion with estimated 6 single launchers each with estimated 4 Shahab-3 strategic IRBM.'

The elite Ghods (or Quds) Force, sometimes described as the successor to the Shah's Imperial Guards, is estimated to be 2,000-5,000 in number.[2] It is a special operations unit, handling activities abroad. The United States describes it as a terrorist organization that backs militants in Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan.[24]

[edit] Senior commanders

Further information: List of senior officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards

[edit] History

The force's main role is in national security. It is responsible for internal and border security, law enforcement, and also Iran's missile forces. IRGC operations are geared towards asymmetric warfare and less traditional duties. These include the control of smuggling, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and resistance operations.[32] The IRGC is intended to complement the more traditional role of the regular Iranian military, with the two forces operating separately and focusing on different operational roles.[32]

The IRGC was formed in May 1979 as a force loyal to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, but later became a full military force alongside the army in the Iran–Iraq War. It was infamous for its human wave attacks, for example during Operation Ramadan, an assault on the city of Basra.

The IRGC does not report to the President of Iran, but is directed by the clerical branch of government.

[edit] Iran–Iraq War

Main article: Iran–Iraq War

[edit] Lebanon Civil War

During the Lebanese Civil War, the IRGC allegedly sent troops to train fighters in response to the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon[33]. In Lebanon, political parties had staunch opinions regarding the IRGC's presence. Some, mainly the Christian militias such as the Lebanese Forces, Phalanges, and most of the Christian groups declared war on the IRGC, claiming they violated Lebanese sovereignty, while others, including Muslim militias, were neutral to their presence. Groups such as the PSP and Mourabiton did not approve of their presence, but to serve political alliances they decided to remain silent on the matter.

[edit] Terrorist activities

Former CIA officer, Robert Baer, claims significant Pasdaran involvement in various terrorist activities ranging from the 1983 United States Embassy bombing in Beirut[34] to the 1988 hijacking of Kuwait Airlines flight 422[35]. Kidnapped U.S. citizens were allegedly held at Pasdaran's Shaykh Barracks in the Balabakk[36].

The 1992 Israeli Embassy attack in Buenos Aires and the 1994 AMIA Bombing also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for which the Argentinian government issued an arrest warrant for Imad Mugniyah of Hezbollah, have been linked to Iran. According to Robert Baer, Mugniyah was an IRGC operative, and close ties between IRGC and Hezbollah are described elsewhere in this article. According to Jeffery Goldberg, writing in the New Yorker, "It is believed that Mugniyah takes orders from the office of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, but that he reports to a man named Ghassem Soleimani, the chief of a branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps called Al Quds, or the Jerusalem Force—the arm of the Iranian government responsible for sponsoring terror attacks on Israeli targets."[37]

[edit] 2006 Lebanon War

During the 2006 Lebanon War, the IRGC played a key role. Revolutionary Guards directed the firing of a missile on the Israeli Naval vessel INS Hanit, which killed four sailors. This vessel was responsible for bombing targets in Beirut. Revolutionary Guards also assisted Hezbollah in the firing of rockets into Israel. During the war, several Iranian Revolutionary Guards were reportedly killed by Israeli forces in Baalbek, a town close to the Syrian border.[38]

[edit] 2006 plane crash

In January 2006, an IRGC Falcon crashed near Oroumieh. All fifteen passengers died, including twelve senior IRGC commanders.[39] Among the dead was General Ahmad Kazemi, the IRGC ground forces commander.[40]

[edit] Possible attacks on Quds Force

On July 7, 2008, Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and author Seymour Hersh wrote an article in the New Yorker stating that the Bush Administration had signed a Presidential Finding authorizing the CIA's Special Activities Division to begin cross border paramilitary operations from Iraq and Afghanistan into Iran. These operations would be against the Quds Force, the commando arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard that had been blamed for repeated acts of violence in Iraq, and “high-value targets” in the President’s war on terror.[41]

[edit] October 2009 Pishin bombing

In October 2009, several top commanders of the Revolutionary Guards were killed in a suicide bombing in the Pishin region of Sistan-Baluchistan, in the south-east of Iran. The Iranian state television said 31 people died in the attack, and more than 25 were injured. Shia and Sunni tribal leaders were also killed. The Sunni resistance group, Jundullah claimed this attack [42][43].

[edit] Influence

[edit] Political

Ayatollah Khomeini urged that the country's military forces should remain unpoliticized. However, the Constitution, in Article 150, defines the IRGC as the "guardian of the Revolution and of its achievements" which is at least partly a political mission. His original views have therefore been the subject of debate. Supporters of the Basiji have argued for politicization, while reformists, moderates and Hassan Khomeini opposed it. President Rafsanjani forced military professionalization and ideological deradicalization on the IRGC to curb its political role, but the Pasdaran became natural allies of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei when reformists threatened him.[44] The IRGC grew stronger under President Ahmedinejad, and assumed formal command of the Basiji militia in early 2009.[45]

As an elite group, members of Pasdaran have influence in Iran's political world. President Ahmadinejad joined the IRGC in 1985, serving first in military operation in Iraqi Kurdistan before leaving the front line to take charge of logistics. A majority of his first cabinet consisted of IRGC veterans.[46] Nearly one third of the members elected to Iran's Majlis in 2004 are also "Pásdárán".[47] Others have been appointed as ambassadors, mayors, provincial governors and senior bureaucrats.[24] However, IRGC veteran status does not imply a single viewpoint.[44]

In the days before the 2009 presidential election, the Revolutionary Guard warned against a "velvet revolution" and vowed to crush any attempt at one.[48] Three weeks after the election the Guard's commander, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, "publicly acknowledged they had taken over the nation's security during the post-election unrest" and called this `a revival of the revolution,` in a press conference.[45] Another Guard general Yadollah Javani, stated that there would be no middle ground in the dispute over the election results, there being only two currents -- "those who defend and support the revolution and the establishment, and those who are trying to topple it."

Several sources have commented on increased power of the Guard following the election, saying that "it appears that the military likely will become the strongest stakeholder" in Iran,[8] that "many Iranians" fear "the outcome of the election was just a thinly-veiled military coup" by the Guard,[7] or even that Iran has now become a "regular military security government" with only "a facade of a Shiite clerical system.”[3]

[edit] Economic activity

See also: Economy of Iran and 2007 Gasoline Rationing Plan in Iran#Fuel smuggling

IRGC first expanded into commercial activity through informal social networking of veterans and former officials. IRGC officials confiscated assets of many refugees who had fled Iran after the fall of the Bani-sadr regime. It is now a vast conglomerate, controlling Iran’s missile batteries and nuclear program but also a multibillion-dollar business empire reaching almost all economic sectors.[3] It is thought to control around a third of Iran's economy through a series of subsidiaries and trusts.[49] The Los Angeles Times estimates that IRGC ties to over one hundred companies, with its annual revenue exceeding $12 billion in business and construction.[50] IRGC has been awarded billions of dollars in contracts in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, as well as major infrastructure projects.[51] It runs laser eye-surgery clinics, makes cars, builds bridges and roads, develops gas and oil fields and controls black-market smuggling.[3][44]

The following commercial entities have been named by the United States as owned or controlled by the IRGC and its leaders.[52]

The IRGC also exerts influence over bonyads, wealthy, non-governmental ostensibly charitable foundations controlled by key clerics. The pattern of revolutionary foundations mimics the style of informal and extralegal economic networks from the time of the Shah. Their development started in the early 1990s, gathered pace over the next decade, and accelerated even more with many lucrative no-bid contracts from the Ahmadinejad presidency. The IRGC exerts informal, but real, influence over many such organizations including:

There are many allegations of IRGC black market operations, racketeering, and smuggling (including a widely rumoured near monopoly over the smuggling of alcohol, cigarettes and satellite dishes, among other things in great demand)[54] via jetties not supervised by the Government.[44][55]

From its origin as an ideologically driven militia, the IRGC has taken an ever more assertive role in virtually every aspect of Iranian society. Its part in suppressing dissent has led many analysts to describe the events surrounding the 12 June 2009 presidential election as a military coup, and the IRGC as an authoritarian military security government for which its Shiite clerical system is no more than a facade.[3]

In September 2009, the Government of Iran sold 51% of the shares of the Telecommunication Company of Iran to the Mobin Trust Consortium (Etemad-e-Mobin), a group affiliated with the Guards, for the sum of $7.8 billion. This was the largest transaction on the Tehran Stock Exchange in history.[56] A private firm was excluded from bidding one day before shares were put on sale - despite being initially approved by Iran’s Privatization Organization - because of a “security condition.”[57]

IRGC also owns 45% participation in automotive Bahman Group and has a majority stake in Iran's naval giant SADRA through Khatam al-Anbia.[58][59]

[edit] Controversy

Main article: Controversies surrounding Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution

Since its establishment, IRGC has been involved in many economic and military activities among which some raised controversies. The organization has been accused of smuggling — including importing illegal alcoholic beverages into Iran[60] — training Hezbollah[61] and Hamas[62] fighters, and has been accused by the US government of being involved in the Iraq War.[63]

In December 2009 evidence uncovered during an investigation by the Guardian newspaper and Guardian Films linked the IRGC to the kidnappings of 5 Britons from a government ministry building in Baghdad in 2007. Three of the hostages, Jason Creswell, Jason Swindlehurst and Alec Maclachlan, were killed. Alan Mcmenemy's body was never found but Peter Moore was released on 30 December 2009. The investigation uncovered evidence that Moore, 37, a computer expert from Lincoln was targeted because he was installing a system for the Iraqi Government that would show how a vast amount of international aid was diverted to Iran's militia groups in Iraq.[64]

According to Geneive Abdo IRGC members were appointed "as ambassadors, mayors, cabinet ministers, and high-ranking officials at state-run economic institutions" during the administration of president Ahmadinejad [9] Appointments in 2009 by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have given "hard-liners" in the guard "unprecedented power" and included "some of the most feared and brutal men in Iran."[9]

[edit] See also

[edit] References and notes

  1. ^ IISS Military Balance 2006, Routledge for the IISS, London, 2006, p.187
  2. ^ a b Abrahamian, Ervand, History of Modern Iran, Columbia University Press, 2008 p.175-6
  3. ^ a b c d e f Michael Slackman (2009-07-21). "Hard-Line Force Extends Grip Over a Splintered Iran". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/world/middleeast/21guards.html?hpw=&pagewanted=print. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
  4. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090927/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_telecom_2
  5. ^ "Elite Revolutionary Guard's expanding role in Iran may limit U.S. options"
  6. ^ Frykberg, MelL (2008-08-29). "Mideast Powers, Proxies and Paymasters Bluster and Rearm". Middle East Times. http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/08/29/mideast_powers_proxies_and_paymasters_bluster_and_rearm/5485/. Retrieved 2008-08-29. 
  7. ^ a b "Arrests at new Iranian protests". BBC News. 2009-07-21. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8161824.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
  8. ^ a b "CRISIS AS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE IRGC". Stratfor. 2009-07-27. http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/8877/. Retrieved 2009-08-01. 
  9. ^ a b c GENEIVE ABDO (2009-10-07). "The Rise of the Iranian Dictatorship". Foreign Policy (magazine). http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/10/07/the_rise_of_the_Iranian_dictatorship. Retrieved 2009-10-13. 
  10. ^ Someone said, 'Lads, I think we're going to be executed' 7 April 2007
  11. ^ Brainroom Facts: Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, Friday, March 23, 2007
  12. ^ Newsweek, (dead link)
  13. ^ Why Iran Seized the British Marines, By Howard Chua-Eoan/New York, Mar. 23, 2007
  14. ^ Daragahi, Borzou and Spiegel, Peter. "Iran's elite and mysterious fighters", Los Angeles Times, February 15, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2007.
  15. ^ "Experts: Iran's Ghods Force Deeply Enmeshed in Iraq", Fox News, February 15, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2007.
  16. ^ Shane, Scott. "Iranian Force, Focus of U.S., Still a Mystery", The New York Times, February 17, 2007. Retrieved February 17, 2007.
  17. ^ GlobalSecurity.org [http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/iran/basij.htm Niruyeh Moghavemat Basij Mobilisation Resistance Force] 19 February 2006
  18. ^ Center for Strategic and International Studies The Gulf Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric War - Iran 28 June 2006
  19. ^ Janes international security news (dead link)
  20. ^ ICL - Iran - Constitution
  21. ^ IISS Military Balance 2006, Routledge for the IISS, London, 2007
  22. ^ See the Yahoo Groups TOE Group for an estimated Iranian ground force order of battle.
  23. ^ The IISS estimates the IRGC Naval Forces are 20,000 strong including 5,000 Marines (one brigade),
  24. ^ a b "Q+A-Iran's Revolutionary Guards weave powerful web". Reuters. 2009-07-23. http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLM225970. Retrieved 2009-07-24. 
  25. ^ Mideast Powers, Proxies and Paymasters Bluster and Rearm
  26. ^ [www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5206 Iran’s top military commanders die in plane crash]
  27. ^ a b http://www.khamenei.ir/EN/Message/detail.jsp?id=20060121A
  28. ^ Iran to hold large-scale naval war games
  29. ^ Niruyeh Moghavemat Basij Mobilisation Resistance Force
  30. ^ Iran Revolutionary Guards expect key changes in high command
  31. ^ Iran: New chief appointed for secretive military unit
  32. ^ a b [1]
  33. ^ frontline: terror and Tehran: inside Iran: the structure of power in Iran | PBS
  34. ^ Baer, Robert: See No Evil, Crown, New York (2002)
  35. ^ ibid, p. 131
  36. ^ ibid p. 81
  37. ^ Goldberg, Jeffrey: In the Party of God, 'New Yorker' October 28, 2002 on-line at http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2002/10/28/021028fa_fact2?currentPage=all
  38. ^ Zeev Schiff Israel's War With Iran New York Times 2006
  39. ^ Iran’s top military commanders die in plane crash
  40. ^ Plane crash kills Iran commander
  41. ^ Hersh, Seymour (2008-07-07). "Preparing the Battlefield: The Bush Administration steps up its secret moves against Iran". The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/07/080707fa_fact_hersh?currentPage=all.
  42. ^ "Iranian commanders assassinated"
  43. ^ "Profile: Iran's Revolutionary Guards"
  44. ^ a b c d e f Wehrey et al.. "The Rise of the Pasdaran: Assessing the Domestic Roles of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps". National Defense Research Institute, RAND Corporation. http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG821/. Retrieved 2009-07-24. 
  45. ^ a b Iran's Revolutionary Guard acknowledges taking a bigger role in nation's security By Borzou Daragahi. July 6, 2009. accessed 9-July-2009
  46. ^ "18 of Iran’s 21 new ministers hail from Revolutionary Guards, secret police". Iran Focus. 2005-08-14. http://www.iranfocus.com/en/iran-general-/18-of-iran-s-21-new-ministers-hail-from-revolutionary-guards-secret-police-03315.html. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
  47. ^ Roy, Olivier, The Politics of Chaos in the Middle East, Columbia University Press, 2008, p.133, 135
  48. ^ Iranian Revolutionary Guard won't tolerate 'velvet revolution' John Lyons, Tehran | June 12, 2009. accessed 9-July-2009
  49. ^ "Profile: Iran's Revolutionary Guards". BBC News. 2007-10-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7064353.stm. Retrieved 2008-12-27. 
  50. ^ Kim Murphy (2007-08-26). "Iran’s $12-billion enforcers". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/26/world/fg-guards26. Retrieved 2008-12-27. 
  51. ^ Azadeh Moaveni (2007-09-05 As enforcers of cross border activities, the IRGC has maintained a monopoly on smuggling, arresting competitors and controlling the vast bulk of the Iranian alcohol, tobacco, opium, etc industries. As enforcers of Iranian moral codes, the IRGC uses its power to control prostitution rackets as well.). "Iran's Rich Revolutionary Guard". Time. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1659039,00.html. Retrieved 2008-12-27. 
  52. ^ a b "Fact Sheet: Designation of Iranian Entities and Individuals for Proliferation Activities and Support for Terrorism". United States Department of the Treasury. 2007-10-25. http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp644.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-24. 
  53. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/world/middleeast/06sanctions.html?pagewanted=1
  54. ^ Iran's Revolutionary Guards: Showing who's boss
  55. ^ Iran's resilient opposition: The regime's ramparts are shaky
  56. ^ Iran's Rev. Guard buys stake in Iran telecom September 27, 2009
  57. ^ Elite Guard in Iran Tightens Grip With Media Move, MICHAEL SLACKMAN October 8, 2009
  58. ^ http://rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG821.pdf
  59. ^ Ardalan Sayami (23 March 2010). "1388: Year of Militarization of Iran's Economy". Payvand News. http://www.payvand.com/news/10/mar/1213.html. 
  60. ^ The Iran Agenda by Reese Erlich, Robert (FRW) Scheer
  61. ^ (Baer, R, See No Evil, 2002, Three Rivers Press, page 250)
  62. ^ Mark Mazzetti, "Striking Deep Into Israel, Hamas Employs an Upgraded Rocket Arsenal," New York Times, January 1, 2009.
  63. ^ Iran's Revolutionary Guards patrol Persian Gulf, U.S. says
  64. ^ Grandjean, Guy (2009-12-30). "Revealed: hand of Iran behind Britons' Baghdad kidnapping". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/30/iran-britons-baghdad-kidnapping. Retrieved 2010-04-25. 

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[edit] Background

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