IRGC has been responsible for Iran's strategic weapons program,
including the nuclear weapons project. The elite force operates a separate
military, with the navy responsible for all operations in
the Gulf. Ahmadinejad had been a senior officer in IRGC, and as president
bolstered its role in civilian and military affairs.
Titled "Supremely Undemocratic: The
Revolutionary Guards Engineer Iran's Elections," the report was authored by visiting research fellow
Ali Alfoneh.
The report said IRGC, regardless of the results, would emerge from the
June 12 elections as a king-maker in Iran. Alfoneh said Khamenei has blessed
IRGC politicking in an intense effort to ensure victory by Ahmadinejad. A
1982 law bans IRGC from politics.
"Not only has Khamenei issued subtle statements of support for the
incumbent and criticism of his opponents, but he has also encouraged IRGC
intervention to support Ahmadinejad, despite statutory provisions that
ostensibly call for IRGC neutrality," the report said.
IRGC commanders have deemed Ahmadinejad's opponents as too old to become
president. Reform candidates, particularly former President Mohammed
Khatami, were accused of having harmed Iranian security.
In 2009, the report said, IRGC integrated the paramilitary Basij
into military forces. At the same time, IRGC has mobilized its 125,000
personnel to campaign for Ahmadinejad.
"In effect, this would give the IRGC the ability to determine the
acceptability of candidates and to use its cadre not only to get out the
vote for its chosen candidates, but also to employ physical force to prevent
other candidates from campaigning," the report said. "Considering the
current trajectory, the IRGC's political activity could very well tip the
elections in favor of Ahmadinejad."
