The “Iran and Shi’ite Terrorism” Desk is engaged in the analysis of Iran's involvement in terrorist activity. In addition, the desk examines the strategic aspect of Iran in terms of internal and external Iranian discourse and their influence on decision-making processes, which are translated into operative and tactical steps and implemented by the Revolutionary Guards and their branches/proxis around the world. In addition, the desk’s articles will review methods of coping with this extensive activity, as expressed in arrests, the foiling of terrorist attacks, and more.
Researchers:
Dr. Ori Goldberg, Head of “Iran and Shi’ite Terrorism" Desk
Dr. Eitan Azani
Lorena Atiyas-Lvovsky
Edan Landau
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was established soon after the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1980 and was composed of the same groups that led the revolution. There were two central reasons for the establishment of the IRGC. First, it was designed to defend the achievements of the Islamic revolution and the new Islamic Republic. The IRGC was supposed to serve as an operational and political counterweight to the Iranian army (“artesh” in Fasi). The latter was clearly identified with the Shah regime. The second mission of the IRGC was to shoulder the burden of the military effort of the Iran-Iraq war.