The Iranian Revolutionary Guards, also known as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), are a unique military and political institution in Iran. Established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, they act as a parallel military force alongside the regular Iranian Armed Forces. Their infamy stems from several factors:
1. Political Role: The IRGC has significant influence in Iranian politics, often supporting conservative factions and playing a role in decision-making processes. This has led to concerns about the group's potential interference in the country's democratic processes.
2. External Operations: The IRGC is accused of sponsoring and conducting terrorist activities and proxy wars in the Middle East and beyond. They have been linked to various conflicts, including the Syrian Civil War and the Yemeni Crisis, as well as attacks on Israeli targets and the assassination of political opponents abroad.
3. Human Rights Violations: The IRGC has been criticized for its involvement in suppressing dissent and human rights abuses within Iran. They have been accused of engaging in torture, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary arrests, particularly during the post-election protests in 2009.
4. Economic Activities: The IRGC controls a vast network of businesses and industries in Iran, known as the "economy of resistance." This has led to concerns about corruption, monopolies, and the misallocation of resources in the Iranian economy.
5. Designation as a Terrorist Organization: In 2019, the United States designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization, making it the first branch of another government to receive such a designation. This move has further escalated tensions between Iran and the U.S. and increased the IRGC's global infamy.
In summary, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' infamy stems from their significant political influence, involvement in regional conflicts and terrorism, human rights abuses, and economic activities. These factors have contributed to their reputation as a powerful, yet controversial, institution in Iran and the international community.
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