The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have expanded their influence in decision-making during wartime, despite losing senior commanders, by adopting a hardline strategy involving drone and missile campaigns across the region.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have increasingly strengthened their influence over decision-making processes amid ongoing conflict, according to senior sources. Despite facing significant losses of top commanders, the Guards are pursuing an aggressive strategy that enhances Tehran's drone and missile operations throughout the region. This development signifies their escalated role in regional conflicts, projecting power beyond Iran's borders.
In anticipation of potential leadership decapitating strikes by the US and Israel, the Revolutionary Guards had already delegated tasks to lower-tier officers prior to the recent strikes by these countries. This strategy aims to ensure resilience against external threats, though it raises concerns about potential miscalculations or escalations that could lead to a broader conflict as mid-tier officers are empowered to initiate attacks against neighboring states. A recent instance highlighting this situation was the Iranian gunfire directed at Turkey, a NATO member, which indicates the volatility of the region.
Internally, the Revolutionary Guards' central role within the Iranian system and their stringent approach to security could complicate the potential for civil unrest or protests. This dynamic undermines any hopes from the US or Israel that their assaults might ignite significant upheaval in Iran, as the guards fortify their grip on power and decision-making, potentially stifling dissent and consolidating their authority during a critical period of intensified military engagement.
