The role of the Revolutionary Guards in the regional role of Iran from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency onwards

Abstract

Over the last two decades, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps asserted a central role in the tumultuous landscape of the Middle East. This study delves into the transformative influence of the IRGC and its pivotal role in reshaping Iran's regional dynamics, focusing particularly on the transitions that the IRGC was brought through from 2005 to 2020. From its origins as a guardian of the nascent Islamic Republic in 1979, the IRGC has experienced a profound evolution, emerging as a potent political and economic actor in Iran. By exploring these aspects, this study aims to offer insight into the multifaceted IRGC and its profound impact on shaping regional dynamics in a region marked by volatility and uncertainty.