US-Israel Attack on Iran: IRGC Targeted in Major Military Operation
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran's elite military force, has long served as a cornerstone of the Iranian regime, responsible for countering external threats and suppressing internal dissent. In a dramatic escalation, the United States and Israel launched a significant military operation against Iran on Saturday, with initial strikes reportedly aimed at areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian media confirmed explosions across the country, and smoke was visible rising over the capital, Tehran. The attack marks a severe intensification of tensions in the region.
Trump's Ultimatum to Iranian Forces
In a video address announcing what he termed a "major" military operation in Iran, US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to members of the IRGC, the armed forces, and police. "You must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death," Trump declared. This statement underscores the direct targeting of Iran's military infrastructure in the coordinated assault.
The operation follows reports of missiles striking a US navy headquarters in Bahrain, with explosions also heard in Abu Dhabi and Doha, indicating a broader regional impact. An AI Tel Aviv flight was forced to return to India amid the turmoil, highlighting the disruption to international travel.
What is the IRGC?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew Iran's Western-backed Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and brought Shia cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khamenei to power as the country's first Supreme Leader. Formed from various paramilitary groups that helped topple the monarchy, the IRGC was designed to "guard" the theocratic system and resist integration into the regular army.
Its power was further consolidated during its involvement in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. The IRGC's mandate, enshrined in the Iranian constitution, is to protect the Islamic Revolution both within Iran and abroad. Today, the IRGC stands as Iran's most powerful military branch, functioning independently of the regular army.
With an estimated 150,000 to 190,000 members, it oversees its own army, navy, air force, and intelligence operations, and exerts extensive influence within the country's civilian economy.
Quds Force: Iran's Elite Unit for Foreign Operations
The Quds Force is an elite expeditionary unit within the IRGC, originally tasked with conducting operations abroad, beginning with support for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Over the years, it has extended its backing to a range of non-state actors across the Middle East, including Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and the Taliban in Afghanistan during the 1990s. This unit plays a critical role in Iran's regional proxy warfare strategy.
Basij: Iran's Domestic Force Enforcing Regime and Morality
The Basij, one of the five branches of the IRGC, functions as a domestic, street-level force similar to a police organization. Its name, meaning "mobilization" in Farsi, reflects its role as a volunteer force drawn from across Iran, often from poorer and more conservative communities. The Basij is primarily tasked with supporting the regime internally and enforcing Islamic moral codes among the population, making it a key tool for domestic control.
The recent US-Israeli attack, dubbed operation 'Truthful Promise 4' by Iran in its retaliatory strikes on US military bases across the Middle East, represents a significant confrontation with the IRGC's dual roles. As explosions rock Iran and regional capitals, the stability of the Middle East hangs in the balance, with the IRGC at the center of this escalating conflict.
