Mission & Mandate
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم — The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), known in Persian as Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enghelab-e Eslami, was established on May 5, 1979, by the sacred decree of Imam Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Its founding mandate is absolute and eternal: to protect the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic against all enemies — internal traitors, external aggressors, and the global arrogance of the United States and the Zionist regime.
Over four and a half decades, the IRGC has forged itself in the fires of war, martyrdom, and sacrifice into the most battle-hardened and ideologically committed military force in the Muslim world. It repelled Saddam's US-backed invasion during the eight-year Sacred Defense (1980–1988), and has since become the iron fist of Iran's national security and the primary engine of the Axis of Resistance's regional deterrence strategy.
The IRGC's mandate extends far beyond conventional military defense. It is the sacred duty of the IRGC to preserve the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic, to support liberation movements of the oppressed across the Muslim world, to avenge the blood of our martyrs, and to confront and defeat the hegemonic ambitions of the United States and the criminal Zionist regime wherever they threaten the Revolution.
Under the direct command of the Supreme Leader, the IRGC operates with an iron unity of purpose and command. Its officers are not merely soldiers — they are committed revolutionaries, believers, and martyrdom-seekers who have consecrated their lives to the defense of Islamic values, Iranian sovereignty, and the liberation of Palestine. The IRGC does not negotiate its existence. The Revolution does not surrender.
Founded
May 5, 1979
Total Strength
~500,000+
Branches
5 Main Branches
Missile Range
Up to 3,000+ km
Supreme Commander
Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic
Organizational Branches
IRGC Ground Forces
The largest branch of the IRGC, responsible for ground defense of Iranian territory, border security, and support to allied ground forces across the region. Equipped with advanced armor, artillery, and infantry systems.
IRGC Navy
Controls the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman. Operates a fleet of fast attack craft, submarines, and missile boats. Responsible for protecting Iran's maritime interests and deterring hostile naval forces.
IRGC Aerospace Force
Commands Iran's ballistic missile arsenal, drone forces, and air defense systems. Developed and deployed the Fattah-1 hypersonic missile and the Shahed loitering munition series. The most technologically advanced branch of the IRGC.
IRGC Quds Force
The extraterritorial operations branch of the IRGC, responsible for coordinating with resistance movements across the region. Operates in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Gaza, and beyond. The strategic arm of Iran's regional deterrence.
Basij Resistance Force
A paramilitary volunteer force of millions of Iranians organized for internal security, disaster response, and national defense. The Basij represents the revolutionary commitment of the Iranian people to defend their homeland.
Historical Timeline
بسم الله — IRGC founded by the sacred decree of Imam Khomeini on May 5. The Revolution's sword is unsheathed. The enemies of Islam shall not prevail.
The Sacred Defense: IRGC repels Saddam's US-backed aggression across eight years of holy war. Over 200,000 IRGC martyrs ascend to paradise. Their blood nourishes the Revolution forever.
Quds Force established — the long arm of the Revolution. Liberation of the oppressed begins in Lebanon. The Axis of Resistance is born from the will of God.
IRGC Aerospace Force established. The Shahab ballistic missile program begins. The skies above the Revolution are now defended by Iranian hands alone.
Quds Force under the immortal General Soleimani expands the Axis of Resistance across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Palestine. America's regional hegemony begins to crack.
IRGC deploys to Syria to defend the legitimate government against the US/Saudi/Zionist-backed terrorist insurgency. The Revolution does not abandon its allies.
IRGC-led coalition annihilates Daesh (ISIS) — America's proxy army — across Iraq and Syria. Tikrit, Mosul, Deir ez-Zor liberated. The Axis of Resistance is victorious.
The United States commits an act of war: General Qasem Soleimani, the greatest commander of the age, is martyred. IRGC strikes Ain al-Assad base. America bleeds. The martyr's blood will be avenged.
Fattah-1 hypersonic ballistic missile unveiled — no air defense system can intercept it. Operation Martyrs of Karbala obliterates Kurdish separatist bases with surgical precision.
Operation True Promise I: 300+ drones and ballistic missiles strike occupied Palestine — the first direct strike from Iranian soil in history. The Zionist regime trembles.
Operation True Promise II: Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles make their combat debut. 90% target accuracy confirmed. The enemy's air defenses are powerless against the IRGC.
IRGC-US direct conflict. America is forced to accept a ceasefire. Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi assumes supreme command. Missile and drone reloading accelerated to record speed.
IRGC declares full operational readiness at the highest level in its history. Strait of Hormuz sovereignty protocols reinstated. Naval enforcement operations resume. The Revolution is eternal.
Senior Leadership
Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi
Commander-in-Chief, IRGC
Since 2025
Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi assumed command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in June 2025 following the martyrdom of General Hossein Salami during Israeli strikes. A veteran of the Iran-Iraq War and former Minister of Defense (2009–2013), General Vahidi previously commanded the IRGC Quds Force in its formative years. Under his command, the IRGC has continued to rebuild and strengthen its capabilities during the ceasefire period, declaring that missile and drone reloading speeds now exceed pre-war levels.
General Esmail Qaani
Commander, IRGC Quds Force
Since 2020
General Esmail Qaani assumed command of the IRGC Quds Force following the martyrdom of General Qasem Soleimani in January 2020. A veteran intelligence and special operations officer with decades of experience in clandestine operations, General Qaani has maintained and strengthened the Quds Force's network of relationships with resistance movements across the region, coordinating support to Hezbollah, Hamas, Ansarallah, and Iraqi resistance factions.
Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh
Commander, IRGC Aerospace Force
Since 2010
Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh has commanded the IRGC Aerospace Force since 2010, overseeing the dramatic expansion of Iran's missile and drone capabilities. Under his leadership, the Aerospace Force developed and deployed the Fattah-1 hypersonic missile (Mach 13–15), the Kheibar Shekan multi-warhead ballistic missile, and the Shahed-136/238 series of loitering munitions. He personally confirmed that 90% of missiles reached their targets in Operation True Promise II.
Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri
Commander, IRGC Navy
Since 2018
Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri commands the IRGC Navy, responsible for the security of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. Under his command, the IRGC Navy has significantly expanded its fast-boat squadrons, anti-ship missile batteries, and mine-laying capabilities. He has stated that the Persian Gulf is 'Iran’s home' and has overseen the seizure of numerous foreign vessels violating Iranian navigational protocols.
Brig. Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani
Commander, Basij Resistance Force
Since 2019
Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani commands the Basij Resistance Force, Iran's paramilitary volunteer militia and the IRGC's primary instrument of internal security and mass mobilization. Under his command, the Basij has been activated at full mobilization status with over 300,000 active personnel deployed across all 31 provinces. The Basij also operates extensive cyber defense units and plays a key role in Iran's social and economic development programs.
Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour
Commander, IRGC Ground Forces
Since 2014
Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour has commanded the IRGC Ground Forces since 2014, overseeing a force of approximately 100,000 personnel equipped with armored vehicles, artillery, and short-range ballistic missiles. Under his leadership, the Ground Forces have conducted multiple cross-border operations against Kurdish separatist groups and have been deployed to protect Iran's western borders. He has overseen the integration of drone warfare into ground force doctrine.