Iran’s Revolutionary Guard: A force to be reckoned with

ANKARA

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (RGC), which the U.S. this week dubbed a “foreign terrorist organization”, is not a purely military institution, but also boasts considerable political and economic clout.

Through its many corporate holdings, the RGC maintains considerable influence over Iranian foreign policy, income sources and strategic expenditures.

Established on May 5, 1979, the RGC was established on the orders of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the late leader of the Iranian revolution.

Functioning independently from the Iranian military, the RGC was drawn up with the express purpose of ensuring the security of Iran’s post-revolution regime.

Roughly 150,000 personnel currently operate under the RGC’s auspices. The RGC also has an affiliated militia (Basij) consisting of millions of volunteers.

The RGC’s Quds Force, led by Major-General Qasem Soleimani, runs military-intelligence operations abroad, while also being responsible for Iran’s formidable ballistic missile program.

The Quds Force is answerably directly to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and operates independently from Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

Economic power

The RGC accounts for the lion’s share of Iran's defense budget. It also generates revenue through its various corporate holdings, especially those in the energy, infrastructure and telecommunications sectors.

These holdings include Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters, Iran’s largest engineering firm; Mahan Air, a Tehran-based airline company; the Ansar Banking Corporation; and Oriental Oil Kish, an energy concern.

Khatam-al Anbiya was established by Khamenei in 1989 to rebuild infrastructure damaged during Iran’s devastating war with Iraq in the 1980s. It is currently involved in numerous projects across the country.

The company employs roughly 150,000 people and works in cooperation with numerous local contracting firms.

Due to its far-flung financial assets, the RGC is often accused by detractors of engaging in “monopolistic” practices.

President Hassan Rouhani has repeatedly urged the military -- especially the RGC -- to curtail its economic activities.

Political influence

Along with protecting the Iranian revolution and its gains, the RGC has also become a political force to be reckoned with.

It is believed to have more influence on Iranian foreign policy -- especially as it pertains to the Middle East -- than the Foreign Ministry itself.

This influence frequently comes in for criticism, especially given the fact that the RGC is answerable only to the supreme leader, putting it outside the control of state institutions.

Soleimani, who was appointed commander of the Quds Force in 1998, is believed to direct Iranian policy as it pertains to Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

The RGC’s ascendancy over the Foreign Ministry was made evident in February when Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad visited Tehran -- a visit the Foreign Ministry was not informed of in advance.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif reacted to the move by trying to resign on Feb. 25. Rouhani, however, refused to accept his resignation.

Along with maintaining a presence in Iraq and Syria, the RGC also enjoys considerable influence in Lebanon through the Shia Hezbollah group.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas