The Quds Force of the IRGC: Mission, Structure, and Regional Role

The Quds Force is one of the important branches of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is responsible for extraterritorial activities and operations outside of Iran. In recent decades, this force has become one of the most influential actors in the Middle East region, and its name has been raised in many of the region's political and military developments.

When was the Quds Force formed?

Following the 1979 Revolution, and particularly during the years of the Iran-Iraq War, a structure was established to coordinate the IRGC's foreign activities, which later became known as the "Quds Force." The primary objective of this force is stated to be supporting Iran's regional allies and expanding the strategic influence of the Islamic Republic beyond its borders.

What are the duties of the Quds Force?

The Quds Force is typically stated to be responsible for missions such as:

• Coordination with aligned groups in the region

• Extraterritorial intelligence and security activities

• Military training and support for allied forces

• Managing a portion of the IRGC's extraterritorial operations

• Countering regional threats against Iran

This force has repeatedly been featured in the news and political analyses regarding countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.

Famous Commanders of the Quds Force

The most well-known commander of the Quds Force was Qasem Soleimani, who led this force from the late 1990s until 2020. He played a significant role in Iran's regional policies and was present in many of the Middle East's developments.

Qasem Soleimani was killed in January 2020 in a U.S. airstrike near the Baghdad airport. Following him, Esmail Qaani was introduced as the new commander of this force.

The Difference Between the Quds Force and Other Branches of the IRGC

The IRGC consists of various branches, such as the Ground Force, Aerospace Force, and Navy, which primarily focus on internal security and military defense. However, the Quds Force mainly pursues foreign and extraterritorial missions, and its structure is widely described as security- and intelligence-oriented.

Why is the Quds Force Important?

Due to its direct role in regional developments, the fight against groups such as ISIS, as well as its presence in the political equations of the Middle East, the Quds Force is considered one of the most important military institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Supporters of this force view it as a factor in increasing Iran's regional influence, while critics describe it as part of Iran's interventionist policies in the region.

Conclusion

The Quds Force is the extraterritorial branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, operating in the security, military, and political spheres outside of Iran. Over the past years, this force has had a significant impact on Middle Eastern developments and remains one of the major actors in Iran's regional policy.