What is the difference between the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the National Defense Forces

What is the difference between the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the National Defense Forces? Let's start with the standard answer.

The Revolutionary Guard Corps and the National Defense Forces are Iran's two major regular armed forces, and there are some notable differences between them.

First, from the point of origin and background, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was formed after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and was formed mainly by the integration of Khomeini's supporters and the civilian armed forces against the Pahlavi dynasty.

Its main tasks were to preserve the theocracy of the country, to protect the gains of the Islamic Revolution, and to intervene abroad in the Middle East.

The Wehrmacht, also known as the regular army, is mainly the army of the former Shah Pahlavi, and is mainly responsible for the defense of territorial airspace and territorial waters.

Secondly, the two also differ in loyalty and religious overtones. The Revolutionary Guards are directly subordinate to the Supreme Leader of Iran, and their loyalty is based on faith in the Islamic Revolution and loyalty to the Supreme Leader.

While the IDF is also loyal to Iran**, its loyalty is likely to be more than traditional loyalty to the army and the country. In addition, the Revolutionary Guards have a strong religious overtone, and their members are often fanatical Muslims.

In terms of strength and status, although the Revolutionary Guards are smaller in number than the National Defense Forces, they are more well-equipped and are the elite of the Iranian armed forces.

The Revolutionary Guards have Iran's Strategic Missile Forces and a huge militia "Basij", which the Wehrmacht does not have.

The Revolutionary Guards also control most of Iran's economic resources, including 57 percent of imports and 30 percent of exports other than oil, as well as 60 border lanes. This makes the Revolutionary Guards a large commercial monopoly in Iran and a central force in the maintenance of Iran's theocratic system.

In general, although the IRGC and the IDF overlap in their responsibilities, there are clear differences between them in terms of origin, background, loyalty, religious overtones, strength and status.

As a special armed force, the influence and status of the Revolutionary Guards cannot be ignored in Iran and internationally.

It is said that in order to consolidate the imperial power and maintain the rule, the ancient emperors needed to use this card, the number is small, but absolutely capable, and they only obey the emperor's orders.

And the country also has armies, these armies, are responsible for fighting, when fighting, the emperor will sometimes send the Imperial Forest Army to supervise the war.

Therefore, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Defense Forces are equivalent to the forbidden army of the ancient emperor and the national army, just such a difference.