Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Iran's ideological military force, separate from the regular army, responsible for internal security and external operations. - Drone approaches US carrier (downed); boats harass US tanker in Hormuz Feb 3

The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has been operational in the Arabian Sea since late January 2026, positioning U.S. forces within striking distance of Iran as President Donald Trump weighs military options over Tehran's crackdown on protests that began December 28, 2025. A second carrier—USS Gerald R. Ford—has joined in the Mediterranean, creating dual-carrier presence. On February 25, the U.S. deployed 12 F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to Ovda Airbase in southern Israel, marking the first F-22 deployment to Israel and signaling strike readiness against heavily defended Iranian targets. Over 85 fuel tankers and 170 cargo planes have surged assets since mid-February in the largest Middle East buildup since 2003.

Updated 3 days ago

Iran's elite military force, separate from the regular army, tasked with defending the Islamic Republic's political system. - Primary force conducting crackdown

On February 14, 2026, an estimated 250,000 people marched through Munich during the Munich Security Conference, the largest protest ever held in Europe against Iran's government. The same day, 350,000 gathered in Toronto and 60,000 in Los Angeles—part of a coordinated Global Day of Action called by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, who has lived outside Iran for 47 years. Reports indicate over one million participated worldwide.

Updated Feb 15

Iran's most powerful military force, reporting directly to the Supreme Leader rather than the civilian government. - Targeted by new Australian sanctions; fears of US strikes reigniting unrest

Iran's last nationwide uprising killed roughly 500 people over several months in 2022. The current one has killed at least 6,842 people—and possibly more than 30,000—in just over five weeks. On January 24, 2026, the UN Human Rights Council voted 25-7 to extend an independent investigation into what officials are calling the deadliest mass killing in Iran's contemporary history. By January 27, the U.S. had deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East as President Trump weighs military strikes; leaked documents now reveal Supreme Leader Khamenei approved a premeditated blueprint for the crackdown months in advance.[1][2]

Updated Feb 4

Iran's elite military force, constitutionally tasked with protecting the Islamic Republic's political system and extending its influence abroad. - Now designated as terrorist organization by EU, US, Canada, Australia

For over two decades, the European Union resisted designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, wary of severing diplomatic ties with Tehran. On January 29, 2026, that resistance collapsed. All 27 EU foreign ministers voted unanimously to place the IRGC on the same legal footing as al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Islamic State—a designation that triggers automatic asset freezes and travel bans across the bloc. Within hours, the United Kingdom signaled it would follow suit with separate legislation targeting hostile state agencies.

Updated Jan 31

Iran's elite military force, answering directly to the Supreme Leader, responsible for internal security and external operations. - Designated as terrorist organization by EU; 214 members killed in protests

Bazaar merchants bankrolled Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Now they're in the streets demanding its end. What began December 28 as protests over the rial's collapse to record lows escalated into the largest uprising in the Islamic Republic's 46-year history—spreading to all 31 provinces and uniting working-class laborers, students, and merchants in calls for regime change. The death toll remains highly disputed: activist groups have verified at least 6,100 killed, while leaked government documents suggest 27,500-36,500 deaths. By January 17, the regime had reestablished control through unprecedented force, killing an estimated 147 security personnel in the process.

Updated Jan 31

The IRGC is Iran's elite military force, separate from the regular army, tasked with protecting the Islamic Revolution. - Designated terrorist organization by EU on January 29, placed on same list as al-Qaeda and ISIS; faces asset freezes, funding prohibition, travel bans; led massacre that killed at least 6,126; hundreds of junior officers defected; carried out at least 52 executions

Iran's nationwide uprising, which began when Tehran's bazaaris marched on December 28, 2025, was crushed through what may be the deadliest massacre in the Islamic Republic's history. While early reports during the internet blackout confirmed 572 deaths, evidence emerging after partial internet restoration in late January reveals at least 6,126 people killed according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency—with some estimates ranging from 12,000 to over 36,500. Most deaths occurred during a 48-hour period on January 8-9 when Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces opened fire on protesters across all 31 provinces. On January 17, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly acknowledged 'several thousand' people had been killed, while President Trump called him a 'sick man' and declared 'it's time to look for new leadership in Iran.' Over 42,000 have been detained, with at least 52 executions already carried out and the judiciary threatening swift trials for thousands more under 'mohareb' (enemy of God) charges.

Updated Jan 31

Iran's ideological military force, responsible for internal security and external operations, directly commanded by the Supreme Leader. - Continuing crackdown operations; reports of chemical weapons use

The Islamic Republic has survived four decades of protests—but never anything like this. What began on December 28 as Tehran bazaar merchants protesting a collapsing currency became Iran's largest uprising since the 1979 revolution, with demonstrations reported in all 31 provinces. The government responded with an internet blackout and live ammunition. On January 21, Iran issued its first official death toll: 3,117 killed. Independent monitors report dramatically higher figures—the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency documented at least 5,002 deaths as of January 23, while a network of Iranian doctors estimates 16,500-18,000 killed and 330,000 injured, making this potentially the deadliest crackdown in modern Iranian history.

Updated Jan 23

Iran's elite military force, responsible for internal security and ideologically committed to the Islamic Republic's survival. - Deployed tens of thousands to lock down Tehran; fears defections but none confirmed; lost at least 10 members in Kermanshah clashes

On December 28, shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar closed their stalls and took to the streets. The Iranian rial had just hit 1.4 million to the dollar—double its value from a year earlier. Within days, the protests spread to all 31 provinces, evolved from economic grievances into demands for regime change, and drew comparisons to the 1979 revolution that brought the Islamic Republic to power.

Updated Jan 20

Iran's elite military force responsible for protecting the Islamic Republic and suppressing internal dissent. - Leading crackdown on protesters with live ammunition

Iran's judiciary chief announced January 14 that detained protesters face fast-track trials and executions despite Trump's warning of "very strong action," as the death toll reached at least 2,571 according to Human Rights Activists News Agency—quadrupling in just two days and exceeding any crackdown since the 1979 revolution. Erfan Soltani, 26, became the first protester sentenced to death after a four-day proceeding without legal representation, though his execution was postponed amid international outcry. The U.S. began evacuating hundreds of troops from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—home to 10,000 personnel and Central Command's forward headquarters—positioning them out of range should Trump's threatened strikes trigger Iranian missile retaliation.

Updated Jan 14

The regime's ideological army, controlling vast economic holdings and answering only to Khamenei, not the president. - Leading violent crackdown with live fire on protesters

The Iranian rial lost half its value in six months. On December 28, merchants shut down Tehran's Grand Bazaar—the same traders who helped topple the Shah in 1979. Within two weeks, what began as shopkeeper strikes morphed into the largest uprising since the Islamic Revolution. Now, after five days of near-total internet blackout, the death toll has exploded: credible estimates range from 500 to over 3,000 killed as the IRGC fires live ammunition into crowds hidden from the world's view.

Updated Jan 13