The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a branch of the Iranian military. While the Iranian Army is the Islamic Republic's traditional military, the IRGC is focused on ensuring Iran's "integrity," which is often interpreted as meeting Tehran's foreign objectives as well as safeguarding the country from foreign interference.
The IRGC is made up of five core branches: The Ground Forces, which focus on putting down internal dissent as well as projecting power abroad; the Aerospace Force, which operates aircraft, missiles, and satellites; the Navy, which uses fast attack boats for asymmetric hit-and-run tactics; the Quds Force, which focuses on military intelligence and extraterritorial operations; and the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary group.
Its current leader is Maj.-Gen. Hossein Salami.
Sunday's alleged attack comes the day after Israel reportedly killed five Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) officers in an attack in Syria.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard attacked targets in Pakistan just one day after shelling Iraq and Syria with missiles.
Tasnim News Agency concludes that since the “political language” of ISIS's statement differs from the usual rhetoric, it indicates that the statement’s author was not affiliated with ISIS
Iranian leaders vowed revenge on Thursday for two explosions that killed nearly 100 people at a ceremony commemorating Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani on the anniversary of his death.
"The consequences of this terror will be felt by [the US]," Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani warned.
Salami was quoted by Islamic Republic state media as claiming that Zionists "are so weak that they cannot bear the existence of Palestinian women and children."
Iranian officials received an order to evacuate a nearby factory as firefighting forces continued to battle the flames.
Fadavi, the deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards, said that "if it is necessary and [the order is given]," Iran will strike Israel's northern city "without hesitation."
Israel and the US have repeatedly called for their allies to join in their recognition of the IRGC as a terrorist entity, though many countries remain hesitant to do so.
The addition of the Abu Mahdi would give Iran a cruise missile with a claimed range of 1,000km, Iranian state media claimed on Tuesday.
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