The Revolutionary Guards, officially known as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Its primary role is to protect the Islamic Republic's political system and maintain internal security. The IRGC operates independently of the regular military and has its own ground, naval, and air forces. In addition to its military functions, the Revolutionary Guards are involved in various economic activities and have significant influence over Iran's political landscape. They play a key role in foreign policy, particularly in supporting allied groups in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and various militias in Iraq.