Has Trumps Iran policy been misinformed about key military groups?

US President Trump Issues Ultimatum to IRGC Members

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump issued a statement to conscripts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), demanding they surrender or face “certain death.” The IRGC is an elite armed force and a constitutionally recognized component of Iran’s military. Established in 1979, it operates alongside the country’s regular army but answers directly to the supreme leader.

The IRGC’s doctrine is based on velayat-e faqih, which translates to guardianship of the Islamic jurist. This principle aims to protect the Islamic revolution and its fealty to the supreme religious leader. The organization has a diverse structure, comprising ground, naval, and air forces troops, as well as an internal security paramilitary militia known as Basij.

The IRGC plays a significant role in Iran’s defense, foreign operations, and regional influence. It manages Iran’s ballistic missile program, coordinates with regional allies, and is responsible for the country’s nuclear security. The organization has been subject to various sanctions, including being designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the US in 2019.

The IRGC also has economic ties, with firms affiliated with the organization holding contracts in key sectors such as natural resources, transport, and telecommunications. This is referred to as the “resistance economy,” which Iranian officials claim helps the country circumvent sanctions.

In response to Trump’s statement, the IRGC launched drone and missile attacks on Israel and multiple Arab states that host US assets in the region. On Sunday morning, Iranian state television announced that one of the strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s longtime supreme leader.

Source: Al Jazeera