Name: Who is the IRGC, the Iranian corps enforcing the protest crackdown?
Uploaded: 2026-01-12T17:19:56.726Z
Duration: 1 min 19 s
Description: Authorities in Iran called on pro-government supporters to take to the streets on January 12. This is in the face of mounting pressure from demonstrators. Officials blame the protests on US and Israeli influence, without addressing the core concerns, and a deadly crackdown has been enforced on protesters. But who are the security forces enforcing it?

Authorities in Iran called on pro-government supporters to take to the streets on January 12. This is in the face of mounting pressure from demonstrators. Officials blame the protests on US and Israeli influence, without addressing the core concerns, and a deadly crackdown has been enforced on protesters. But who are the security forces enforcing it?

Tehran

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is a central pillar of Iran's security apparatus and answers directly to the country's supreme leader. The IRGC oversees the Quds Force for foreign operations, maintains its own air force, and runs Iran's ballistic missile program, while also exerting significant influence in national politics.

The Basij paramilitary force, affiliated with the IRGC, claims the ability to mobilize hundreds of thousands of volunteers and has been deployed during periods of unrest, including the Women Life Freedom movement in 2022. Alongside the renamed Law Enforcement Command and Iranian intelligence, these groups have been involved in protest crackdowns, with rights groups estimating hundreds killed and over 10,000 detained since demonstrations began in December.

Who is the IRGC, the Iranian corps enforcing the protest crackdown?

It's a security apparatus built on several pillars. The Revolutionary Guard Corps is one of the most powerful organizations in Iran. Created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, it works as a counterweight to the traditional armed forces and answers directly to Iran's supreme leader. While the IRGC oversees the Quds Force, which is responsible for foreign operations, it's also influential in national politics. The Revolutionary Guard has an air force which is separate from the army, but it runs Iran's ballistic missile program. Its Basij paramilitary force claims it can mobilize 600,000 volunteers. Established by Khomeini, its members are often called up in times of unrest, like during the Women Live Freedom movement in late 2022. The current supreme leader has described the Basij as one of the most important pillars of the Islamic Republic. Five years ago, the National Police Force was renamed Law Enforcement Command. The body works with Iranian intelligence to gather information on protesters, and its leader has been under Western sanctions. Rights groups estimate hundreds of people have been killed since demonstrations began in December, with over 10,000 detained.

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