IRGC: The System's Record is Under Severe Threat

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) states that the "brilliant record" of the Islamic Republic is "severely threatened and attacked" as it approaches the fifth decade of the revolution, with the "imposition of the system's inefficiency in solving economic issues" being one of the signs of these threats. This perspective was expressed in a statement issued on Sunday, April 1, coinciding with the anniversary of the "referendum of April 1, 1979." April 1 is designated as "Islamic Republic Day" in the official Iranian calendar. In this statement, the Islamic Republic is introduced as the "most significant challenge and concern of international arrogance," claiming that the "brilliant record of the Islamic Republic, as it approaches its fifth decade... has astonished both supporters and opponents of the revolution and the Iranian nation on national, regional, and global levels." The IRGC added that "contrary to the malicious desires of the enemy, the fortieth year of the revolution will be the brightest year for the Islamic Republic of Iran." The military force also identified instances of the Islamic Republic being "threatened and attacked" as the "imposition of the system's inefficiency in solving economic and livelihood issues for the people, creating a gap between the youth and the future builders of the country with the system, and challenging the regional influence and strategic depth of the Islamic Republic in West Asia." The IRGC's statement follows the protests of December 2017, which began with the slogan "No to Inflation" and quickly called into question the performance of all institutions and officials of the Islamic Republic. Although security and military officials claimed that the protests were dealt with "leniently," at least 25 people were killed in the streets, and at least "three" died in prisons. Following comments from several economic and social experts about the possibility of renewed protests, Iranian officials, who initially attributed the gatherings and marches of the previous December to the "enemy," particularly Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Israel, emphasize the necessity of listening to the people's grievances and solving their livelihood problems. However, these officials shift the responsibility of hearing the people's protests to others and express concern about the uncertain future of protests. For instance, Ahmad Jannati, Secretary of the Guardian Council and Chairman of the Assembly of Experts, stated on February 5, "I am worried about next year and what will happen because we must consider possibilities and take them into account." In its statement on Sunday, the IRGC held the "enemy" responsible for various inefficiencies within the Islamic Republic, stating without naming a specific country that the enemy's efforts to "weaken and limit the country's defensive capabilities to the level of fragility and collapse against foreign aggression, in addition to pursuing the JCPOA process with the current unstable trend" are other signs of threats against the Islamic Republic. The statement also added regarding the "ideals of the Islamic Revolution" that "although the reality of political tribalism and factionalism, reliance on foreign prescriptions, and the lack of serious struggle against poverty, corruption, and discrimination have hindered the country's progress in line with the ideals of the Islamic Revolution," the Islamic Revolution continues to pursue its "goals and ideals" by removing existing obstacles in solving today's economic problems. The IRGC, referring to the designation of the year 2018 by the Supreme Leader as the year of "support for Iranian goods," has expressed readiness to take on "effective, jihadist, and revolutionary roles" in this area. This military force's positioning regarding more effective roles in domestic production comes as the IRGC holds many key economic projects in the country, and critics have always criticized its economic activities. Nevertheless, the IRGC has defended its economic performance, claiming that it has always undertaken economic projects at the "request of governments" and has "never" been a competitor or obstacle for other competitors in the economic arena.