[Geopolitical]

Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (Persian: سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی - Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enghelab-e Islami), often shortened to Revolutionary Guards, or called by its Persian (Farsi) name Sepah (meaning army) or Pasdaran (meaning "guardians"), is a military organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The literal Persian (Farsi) translation of the name means "The Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution".

The Sepah-e Pasdaran is separate from, and parallel to, the Iranian army. They are well equipped with their own navy, air force, intelligence, [1]ground troops and special forces. The force is also responsible for Iran's missile forces. The operations of the Sepah-e Pasdaran are geared towards asymmetric warfare and less traditional duties. These include the control of smuggling, control of the Straits of Hormoz, and resistance operations.

Following the end of the Iran-Iraq war, some efforts were made to create a joint command between the Army and the Revolutionary Guards, but these have been limited in nature and have not had a dramatic impact. Ultimatly, it seems that the two forces will operate seperately but focus on different operational roles.

The IRGC was formed in May, 1979, as a force loyal to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, but later became a full military force alongside the army in the Iran-Iraq War. It was infamous for its human wave attacks such as during Operation Ramadan, an assault on the city of Basra.

The present Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi who was preceded by Mohsen Rezaee. Iran's current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was a member of the Revolutionary Guards during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

The group's logo was inspiration for the Shia-Lebanese group 'Hezbollah'. It has also been claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has given many of Hezbollah fighters and commanders military training in their military bases.

During the Lebanese civil war the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps sent around 2000 to train guerrillas in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon (1982).

Branches & Manpower :
Qods Force (unknown)
Basij 11,000,000 (2005 est.)
IRGC Navy 20,000 (2005 est.)
IRGC Air Force (unknown)
IRGC Ground Forces (unknown)

[Sepah-e Pasdaran]

درود بر رزمندگان اسلام

May Blessings be upon the Warriors of Islam, and may they have the peace and mercy of Allah. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard are the backbone of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and their efforts during the Iran-Iraq war will never be forgotten. To go to Iran and see the beautiful paintings of the Martyrs of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard painted on the side of buildings brings tears to ones eyes, as these brave souls willingly sacrificed their own lives for their friends, their country, and for Islam. May Allah bless them, have mercy on them, and protect those who are currently serving in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. It would be a dream come true to join their ranks and to protect Islam and Iran inside and outside, from both international corruption and from the forces that seek to corrupt Iran domestically. These brave men fear nothing but Allah, and in turn may Allah grant those who are Noble and True in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard a high place in Paradise Inshallah.

Their Faith is their Weapon, and their Chests are their shields. Long live the Islamic Revolutionary Guard!

Wassalam

This post has been edited by Sepah-e Pasdaran: 16 October 2006 - 07:12 AM