<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The federal government is listing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, after it was accused of directing at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The IRGC is an Iranian organisation that plays a large role in the nation's military, security, and economic sectors, and has been recognised as a terror group by a number of other nations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This is what we know about the organisation.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/iran-orchestrated-at-least-two-antisemitic-attacks-in-australia-anthony-albanese-says/d0cede9a-6c94-4f68-b86d-29099be3f514" rel="" target="" title="Iran orchestrated at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, PM says"><strong><span>Iran orchestrated at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, PM says</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>When was the IRGC created?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In May 1979, following the Iranian Revolution, the IRGC was created as a military branch by the Islamic Republic's first supreme leader, Ruhollah Khomeini.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What is the difference between the Iranian army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-explainer/38561258-a275-4f50-9153-7e438e160626" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The main difference between the Iranian Army and the IRGC is that the Iranian Army protects the nation in a traditional capacity, whereas the Revolutionary Guard's constitutional mandate is to uphold the integrity of the Islamic Republic. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The IRGC reports directly to the Supreme Leader – currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei –whereas the Iranian Army is accountable to the Iranian government and the president.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/israel-gaza-update-journalists-killed-in-israeli-strike-on-hospital-in-gaza-health-officials-say/315e209d-c021-4e7f-bc60-99edc9f4ddef" target="_blank"><strong><span>Strike on Gaza hospital that killed reporters, patients, 'tragic mishap', Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu says</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Why is Australia listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government is listing the Revolutionary Guard as a terror organisation for directing two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil: on Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney on October 20 2024, and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that there is "credible intelligence" that the attacks were directed by the IRCG.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This sends the strongest possible signal that this conduct has reached a new and totally unacceptable low," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess added that the IRGC "has form in conducting, going after dissidents or anything they consider a threat to the regime in other countries". </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But this is particularly unique to Australia, having a crack at our social cohesion," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-dangerous-inmate-only-cell-contact-for-mushroom-killer/9a992bf7-c2d3-4578-bb08-514649c9a4b5" target="_blank"><strong><span>Dangerous inmate only cell contact for mushroom killer</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Which other countries have listed the IRGC as a terrorist organisation?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The United States, Canada, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia have all listed the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>How powerful is the IRGC?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has been accused of carrying out attacks abroad over the decades of its existence, though it broadly denies any involvement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Guard's Quds, or Jerusalem, Force is its expeditionary arm and is accused by Western nations of using local militants and criminals in the past to target dissidents and Israelis abroad.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As of 2024, the IRGC has approximately 125,000 members.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is deeply involved in Iran's economy and politics, overseeing the nation's ballistic missile program whilst running a vast network of commercial businesses, including construction, media, and telecommunications operations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Quds Force supports regional proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah, and the Navy branch currently holds operational control over the Persian Gulf.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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