Power Dynamics in Iran: The Role of the IRGC Elite in Governance
Who is running Iran? IRGC 'band of brothers' taking decisions for Mojtaba Khamenei, says report
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Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, oversees Iran's key matters, but decision-making is largely in the hands of a small elite group of current and former commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). This 'band of brothers,' shaped by their experiences during the Iran-Iraq war, influences Iran's political and military landscape amid ongoing conflicts.
- 01Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, is seen as overseeing key matters in Iran, but real power lies with a network of IRGC commanders.
- 02The IRGC was formed in 1979 to protect the Islamic Republic and has since evolved into a powerful political-military entity.
- 03Key figures include Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Ahmad Vahidi, and Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, each with significant military and political backgrounds.
- 04The IRGC's influence is bolstered by shared wartime experiences, which have fostered a strong ideological commitment to the regime.
- 05Despite internal debates on negotiations, many IRGC figures operate covertly due to fears of being targeted amid ongoing conflicts.
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Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is reported to oversee critical matters in Iran. However, a small elite network of current and former commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) significantly influences decision-making. This group, often referred to as a 'band of brothers,' is shaped by their experiences during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), which instilled a belief that Iran must chart its own course despite external pressures. The IRGC, established in 1979 to safeguard the Islamic Republic, has evolved into a formidable political and military force, with many of its leaders transitioning into powerful roles in Iran's intelligence and security sectors. Key figures in this network include Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran's Parliament; Ahmad Vahidi, a senior security official; and Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, the judiciary chief, all of whom have substantial military backgrounds and have been involved in significant political events. Despite ongoing internal debates about potential negotiations, many of these leaders prefer to operate covertly due to fears of being targeted amid the current conflict, which has already claimed numerous senior political and military figures.
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The IRGC's grip on power influences Iran's domestic and foreign policy, affecting ordinary citizens' lives through security measures and political repression.
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