Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Issues Warning Amidst Ongoing Tensions
Tehran – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the ideological wing of the country’s military, has warned that any new protests against the government would be met with a harsher response than those seen in January 2023, when thousands reportedly died during brutal crackdowns. The warning comes amidst heightened regional tensions following recent conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
IRGC Statement and Previous Protests
“The evil enemy, failing to achieve its fighting objectives on the ground, is once again seeking to instill fear and foment street unrest,” the IRGC stated in a broadcast on state television, according to the Associated Press . The IRGC promised “a stronger blow than on January 8” if new unrest were to erupt.
This warning follows statements from both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, who have called on the Iranian people to rise up and overthrow their government. These calls came two weeks after a period of conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel.
In December 2022, protests initially sparked by the high cost of living in Iran broadened into widespread demonstrations against the government. The protests peaked on January 8, 2023, which the Iranian government labeled a “riot” and blamed on “terrorists” operating on behalf of Israel and the US.
Casualty Reports and Allegations
Many demonstrators reportedly died during the January 8th protests, allegedly as a result of a brutal crackdown by Iranian authorities. Official Iranian government figures claim more than 3,000 people were killed, stating that most of the deceased were security force personnel or civilians passing through the area.
Yet, NGOs based abroad have accused Iranian security forces of deliberately shooting at demonstrators. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the US, reported that more than 7,000 people were killed during the widespread anti-government protests in early 2023.
About the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was founded on May 5, 1979, following the Iranian Revolution, and is enshrined in the Iranian constitution . It is a multi-service primary force of the Iranian Armed Forces, consisting of five branches: Ground Forces, Aerospace Force, Navy, Quds Force, and Basij . The IRGC is led by a commander-in-chief appointed by and reporting to the Supreme Leader of Iran.
The IRGC has evolved into one of West Asia’s most powerful military agencies , playing a pivotal role in regional tensions and conflicts.