A Commander of the IRGC: Our Fear Comes from Within the Country and the 'Aghazadeh's'

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that this institution is not concerned about a 'military invasion' but rather about 'internal threats, from the Aghazadehs, from nephews and nieces, and from those who influence decision-makers.' On Tuesday, April 9, Mr. Hajizadeh said on Iran's First Channel that 'Westerners scare officials with military invasion and sanctions,' referring to this 'fear' as the 'greatest threat' to the Islamic Republic. However, this IRGC commander expressed concern about the 'Aghazadehs' on the same day that Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the spokesperson for Iran's judiciary, announced that the cases of several other 'Aghazadehs' are 'under investigation' in this institution. 'Aghazadeh' is a term used in Iran to describe the children of influential and powerful officials. Meanwhile, the commander’s remarks about 'concern regarding Aghazadehs' come after months of senior officials in the Islamic Republic expressing worries about 'enemy infiltration.' Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has repeatedly warned over the past year about 'American infiltration into Iran following the nuclear agreement.' Following these remarks, the IRGC arrested several journalists. Jason Rezaian, a former reporter for the American newspaper Washington Post in Iran, was among those accused by security and judicial officials of 'attempting to influence officials through close contact with them.' Mr. Rezaian was eventually freed during a prisoner exchange between Iran and the United States.