What Do Iranian Revolutionary Guards Believe?

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) stands as one of the world's most powerful and ideologically driven military organizations. As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, and global energy markets tremble at the prospect of wider conflict, understanding the IRGC's worldview becomes crucial for comprehending the forces shaping Middle Eastern geopolitics. Their beliefs may seem alien or threatening to many Western observers, but within their own framework, these convictions form a coherent ideology that has guided Iranian foreign policy for over four decades. The Revolutionary Guards see themselves not merely as soldiers, but as armed guardians of a divine revolution that will ultimately reshape the world order. To understand their actions — from supporting proxy forces across the region to developing missile capabilities that worry global powers — we must first understand how they view themselves, their mission, and their place in history.

The Sacred Revolution and Divine Mission

At the heart of Revolutionary Guard ideology lies the conviction that the 1979 Islamic Revolution was not merely a political upheaval, but a sacred awakening that marked the beginning of a new era in human history^[1]. In their worldview, Iran's revolution represents the first successful implementation of true Islamic governance in the modern era — a beacon of hope for oppressed Muslims worldwide who have suffered under Western imperialism and secular autocracy. The Guards believe they are inheritors of a prophetic tradition stretching back to Islam's earliest days. Just as the Prophet Muhammad's companions defended the nascent Islamic community against hostile tribes and empires, the IRGC sees itself as defending the Islamic Republic against a coalition of enemies determined to destroy it^[2]. This is not abstract theology to them — it is lived reality that shapes every strategic decision. IRGC leaders have consistently articulated their vision of Iran's revolution as having significance beyond national borders. Former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei has spoken extensively about Iran's role in supporting resistance movements throughout the region, viewing this as part of the revolution's broader mission to challenge Western hegemony in the Muslim world^[3]. The Guards draw heavily from Shia theology, particularly the concept of awaiting the return of the Hidden Imam, the Mahdi, who will establish global justice. While they do not claim to know when this will occur, many within the IRGC believe their actions are preparing the ground for this ultimate victory of good over evil^[4]. This eschatological dimension gives their struggle a cosmic significance that transcends ordinary geopolitical calculations.

The Axis of Resistance: A Network of Liberation

The Revolutionary Guards do not see Iran as fighting alone against hostile forces. Instead, they believe they are part of what they call the "Axis of Resistance" — a network of movements and states united in opposition to what they term the "Axis of Arrogance," led by the United States and Israel^[5]. In their understanding, groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and various Shia militias in Iraq and Syria are not Iranian proxies, but rather authentic liberation movements that share Iran's vision of resistance to Western imperialism. IRGC officials consistently frame their support for these groups not as power projection, but as solidarity with fellow resistance fighters struggling against occupation and oppression^[6]. This network, they argue, represents the true voice of Middle Eastern peoples against imposed governments and foreign military bases. When IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2020, millions of Iranians and supporters across the region mourned him as a hero of resistance, validating in their minds the righteousness of their cause^[7]. The Guards view their military advisors and weapons transfers to allied groups not as aggression, but as defensive measures to create strategic depth against enemies who have surrounded Iran with military bases and hostile allies. From their perspective, it is the United States and Israel who are the aggressors, having established a network of bases and client states designed to contain and ultimately overthrow the Islamic Republic.

Historical Memory and Existential Threat

To understand the Revolutionary Guards' mindset, one must grasp how profoundly historical memory shapes their worldview. The IRGC was forged in the crucible of the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), a devastating conflict that killed an estimated 200,000-300,000 Iranians and saw the use of chemical weapons against Iranian forces^[8]. Many current IRGC leaders are veterans of that war, and its lessons permeate their strategic thinking. During that conflict, Iran found itself almost entirely isolated internationally. The United States, Soviet Union, and most Arab states supported Saddam Hussein's Iraq, providing weapons, intelligence, and diplomatic cover even as Iraqi forces used chemical weapons against Iranian troops and civilians^[9]. This experience convinced the Revolutionary Guards that Iran could never rely on international law or global institutions for protection — only strength and strategic alliances with fellow resistance movements could guarantee survival. The Guards also draw on deeper historical memories of foreign intervention in Iran. They point to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Mohammad Mossadegh, the decades of support for the Shah's authoritarian regime, and the long history of British and Russian imperial interference in Iranian affairs^[10]. In their narrative, the Islamic Revolution finally freed Iran from this cycle of foreign domination, making it a target for powers determined to restore their control. This historical consciousness creates what scholars call a "siege mentality" within the IRGC^[11]. They genuinely believe that the United States and Israel are actively working to overthrow the Islamic Republic through economic warfare, support for internal dissent, assassination of Iranian scientists and officials, and military threats. From their perspective, Iran's regional activities are not aggression but necessary defensive measures against an ongoing campaign of regime change.

The Israeli Question and Eschatological Beliefs

Perhaps no aspect of Revolutionary Guard ideology generates more controversy than their stance toward Israel. The Guards view Israel not simply as another regional adversary, but as what they call an "illegitimate entity" that represents the epitome of Western colonial domination in the Muslim world^[12]. In their worldview, Israel's establishment in 1948 was not the fulfillment of legitimate national aspirations, but rather the culmination of a Western colonial project designed to implant a permanent military outpost in the heart of the Muslim world. They argue that Israel's creation required the displacement and dispossession of the Palestinian people, making it fundamentally illegitimate regardless of subsequent developments^[13]. The Guards frequently invoke religious prophecies suggesting that Israel's existence is temporary and that its eventual dissolution is divinely ordained. Former IRGC commander and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's controversial statements — widely translated as calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map," though the translation remains disputed — reflected this theological conviction that Israel, like the Soviet Union, would eventually collapse under the weight of its own contradictions^[14]. However, it's important to note that IRGC leaders consistently distinguish between opposing the Israeli state and targeting Jewish people. They point to Iran's historic Jewish community and argue that their opposition is political rather than religious or ethnic^[15]. In their framework, they are opposing Zionism as a political ideology, not Judaism as a religion. This ideological opposition to Israel shapes the Guards' entire regional strategy. They see supporting Palestinian resistance groups and building missile capabilities that can reach Israeli territory as religious and moral obligations, not merely strategic choices. The ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, including periodic military confrontations, represent for them a long-awaited confrontation between the forces of resistance and occupation.

Economic Justice and Anti-Imperial Resistance

Revolutionary Guard ideology extends far beyond military and religious concerns to encompass a comprehensive critique of the global economic order. The Guards view the current international system as fundamentally unjust, designed to benefit wealthy Western nations at the expense of the developing world^[16]. They argue that Western sanctions against Iran — which have severely damaged the Iranian economy and caused hardship for ordinary citizens — prove the hypocrisy of Western claims about human rights and democracy. In their view, these sanctions are collective punishment designed to turn the Iranian people against their government, a form of economic warfare that violates international law^[17]. The Guards advocate for what they call an "economy of resistance" — reducing dependence on Western technology and financial systems while building alternative networks of trade and cooperation with like-minded nations^[18]. They see Iran's growing ties with China, Russia, and other non-Western powers as part of a broader shift toward a multipolar world order that will reduce American hegemony. This economic worldview also shapes their domestic policies. The IRGC controls significant portions of Iran's economy, including construction, telecommunications, and energy sectors. They justify this involvement not as rent-seeking, but as ensuring that Iran's economic development serves the revolution's goals rather than enriching a corrupt elite aligned with foreign interests^[19].

Response to Criticism and Internal Contradictions

The Revolutionary Guards are well aware of the criticism directed at their ideology and actions, both from within Iran and internationally. They have developed sophisticated responses to the most common charges leveled against them. To accusations that they suppress internal dissent, the Guards argue that they are defending the revolution against foreign-sponsored subversion. They point to documented cases of foreign intelligence services supporting opposition groups and argue that any government has the right to defend itself against externally funded attempts at regime change^[20]. In their view, Western criticism of their domestic security measures is hypocritical given the extensive surveillance and security apparatus maintained by Western democracies. When confronted with charges that their regional activities destabilize the Middle East, the Guards respond that they are supporting legitimate resistance movements against foreign occupation and intervention. They argue that it is American military bases throughout the region, not Iranian advisors, that represent the primary source of instability^[21]. Regarding their economic role within Iran, IRGC leaders argue that their business activities serve the national interest by reducing dependence on foreign companies and ensuring that key sectors remain under patriotic control. They point to the role of military-industrial complexes in countries like the United States and argue that their economic involvement is both normal and necessary^[22]. Perhaps most significantly, when challenged about the gap between revolutionary ideals and practical governance, the Guards acknowledge that the Islamic Republic faces serious challenges but argue that these pale in comparison to the achievements of the revolution. They point to Iran's advances in science and technology, its resistance to foreign pressure, and its support for oppressed peoples worldwide as evidence that the revolution remains on track despite temporary setbacks^[23].

The Human Dimension: Fears, Hopes, and Daily Reality

Behind the ideological rhetoric, Revolutionary Guards are human beings with families, fears, and aspirations. Many joined the organization not primarily out of ideological conviction, but because it offered stable employment, social status, and opportunities for advancement in a society where such opportunities are limited^[24]. The Guards worry deeply about their children's future in a country facing economic pressure and international isolation. Many send their children abroad for education when possible, creating tension between their ideological commitments and their parental instincts^[25]. They fear that continued confrontation with the West will lead to war and devastation, but they also fear that compromise will lead to the kind of foreign domination that characterized pre-revolutionary Iran. At night, many Guards worry about the sustainability of their current path. They see the economic hardships facing ordinary Iranians and understand that continued isolation carries real costs. However, they also believe that abandoning their principles would betray the sacrifices of those who died defending the revolution and would ultimately lead to even greater suffering under renewed foreign domination^[26]. The Guards take pride in what they see as Iran's achievements under sanctions — developing domestic military industries, maintaining independence in foreign policy, and supporting resistance movements worldwide. They believe that Iran's example proves that developing nations need not accept Western hegemony and can chart their own course despite enormous pressure^[27].

The Logic of Escalation and Deterrence

The ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, which have roiled global energy markets and raised fears of wider war, make perfect sense within the Revolutionary Guards' strategic framework. They view their missile capabilities and regional network not as tools of aggression, but as essential deterrent forces that prevent a full-scale attack on Iran^[28]. The Guards argue that their strategy of "forward defense" — supporting allied groups throughout the region — has successfully prevented the kind of direct military assault that destroyed Iraq and Libya. They point out that despite decades of threats, neither the United States nor Israel has launched a full-scale attack on Iran, which they attribute to the costs that their deterrent capabilities would impose^[29]. When Iran has engaged in direct confrontations with Israeli forces or interests, the Guards frame this not as escalation but as measured responses to Israeli attacks on Iranian interests. In their strategic logic, demonstrating the ability to respond to attacks serves to establish deterrent credibility and show that Iran will not accept aggression without response. The Guards believe that their enemies understand only strength and that any sign of weakness will invite further aggression. This conviction, forged in the crucible of the Iran-Iraq War and reinforced by the fate of countries like Iraq and Libya that lacked effective deterrent capabilities, drives their commitment to maintaining and expanding their military capabilities despite enormous economic costs.