Iranian Guard's mission evolves

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THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has been restructuring its military capabilities and taking an increasingly prominent role in the nation's political life as the United States builds political and military pressure on the Islamic republic.

A number of former commanders have assumed political positions or become involved in shaping foreign policy, even as the military force -- known formally as the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) -- prepares itself for "asymmetrical warfare" and the possibility of internal unrest.

The involvement in national politics has been evidenced by a series of recent statements more appropriate to diplomats than to soldiers.

On Feb. 21, the overall commander of the IRGC declared that the United States was not able to make any security changes in the Middle East without the cooperation of Iran, according to IRNA, the state news agency.

Gen. Yahya Safavi was echoed by Ali Said, supreme leader Ali Khamenei's personal representative to the IRGC.

He said on Jan. 31 that "if America abandons its self-centeredness, and village headman position, Iran ... could fulfill its role in the region and help resolve regional issues."

The foray into politics demonstrates the growing power of the Revolutionary Guard -- which already controls Iran's borders and runs the country's ballistic-missile and satellite programs -- during nearly two years of government under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

During that period, IRGC-affiliated construction companies such as Khatam ol-Anbia ("Seal of the Prophets") also have been awarded numerous contracts.

"By involving the Revolutionary Guard in the political life of the country, [Ayatollah] Khamenei's direct and unwise leadership of the corps has simply exacerbated matters," wrote Mohsen Sazegara, one of the founders of the IRGC and now a Harvard-based dissident, in a recent opinion piece.