Institution

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

1979 · 20th century · Also known as Revolutionary Guards, IRGC

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a branch of Iran's armed forces founded in 1979 to protect the Islamic Republic and its revolution. Separate from the regular army, it grew powerful during the Iran-Iraq War and controls the Basij militia, ballistic missiles and the Quds Force, which supports allied armed groups abroad. It also has extensive business interests.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
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Mentioned in 1 state history

Islamic Republic of Iran

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps
MLA
“Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻