The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is Iran's elite military force, established in 1979 to safeguard the Islamic Revolution and the ruling theocratic system. Operating parallel to the conventional military (Artesh), it holds extensive influence over Iran's domestic security, foreign policy, economy, and regional military activities. The IRGC is responsible for external operations and missile programs through its aerospace force, and includes the elite Quds Force, which conducts extraterritorial operations and supports proxy militias such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shia groups in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. It has been implicated in numerous regional conflicts including the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), support for the Assad regime in Syria, and attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf. Economically, through its engineering arm (Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters), it controls vast construction projects, oil and gas sectors, and telecommunications, making it a cornerstone of Iran's parallel economy and a target for international sanctions. Designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 2019 (and earlier by the EU for its Quds Force), the IRGC faces widespread international condemnation for its role in terrorism, human rights abuses, and nuclear program advancements. It has been accused of orchestrating attacks abroad, such as the 1994 AMIA bombing in Argentina and plots against dissidents in Europe. Domestically, the Basij militia under IRGC command suppresses protests, as seen in the 2009 Green Movement and 2022 Mahsa Amini unrest. The IRGC's commander-in-chief reports directly to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, underscoring its pivotal role in the power structure. Adversarially, it is frequently targeted by Israeli intelligence for cyber and kinetic strikes, including operations like Stuxnet and assassinations of key personnel, due to its missile programs and anti-Israel activities.