Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, is a multi-service primary branch of the Iranian Armed Forces. It was officially established by Ruhollah Khomeini as a military branch in May 1979, in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. Whereas the Iranian Army protects the country's sovereignty in a traditional capacity, the IRGC's constitutional mandate is to ensure the integrity of the Islamic Republic. Most interpretations of this mandate assert that it entrusts the IRGC with preventing foreign interference in Iran, thwarting coups by the traditional military, and crushing "deviant movements" that harm the ideological legacy of the Islamic Revolution. Currently, the IRGC is designated as a terrorist organization by Bahrain, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the United States.
Some of the key events about Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
- 1979Established to protect the Islamic Republic's system and revolutionary values
- 1979Suppressed opposition groups and executed dissidents during the Iranian Revolution
- 1980Played a key role in defending Iran during the Iran-Iraq War
- 1983Allegedly supported the bombing of U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 American servicemen
- 1988Assisted in post-war reconstruction efforts across Iran
- 1990Expanded its role in Iran's economy, investing in infrastructure projects
- 1994Allegedly involved in the bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, killing 85 people
- 1996Suspected involvement in the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, killing 19 U.S. Air Force personnel
- 2003Provided humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Bam, Iran
- 2006Contributed to Iran's space program by launching the country's first satellite
- 2007Captured 15 British Royal Navy personnel in disputed waters, leading to a diplomatic crisis
- 2009Developed Iran's missile defense capabilities
- 2009Violently suppressed protests following the disputed Iranian presidential election
- 2011Allegedly plotted to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States on American soil
- 2013Assisted in flood relief efforts in various parts of Iran
- 2017Contributed to the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria
- 2019Shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions
- 2020Supported Iran's healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2020Mistakenly shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, killing all 176 people on board
- 2022Violently cracked down on nationwide protests following the death of a young woman in custody
Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.
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