Half of Revolutionary Guard Commanders are on People’s Side

One week after the current protests had begun in Iran the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRG) issued its first statement on June 22. This delay reinforces the rumors of a wide rift among the high ranking commanders of the IRG. Mohsen Sazegar, one of the founders of the IRG acknowledges this rift. He left Iran a few years ago and now is the director of center of studies of Modern Iran in Washington, DC. He believes that there are three groups within the IRG. He says that about 50 percent of high ranking commanders and more than 70 percent of mid-level personnel are not supporting the use of force against people. He adds that very soon this rift will become visible and people will see the IRG joining them.

I pray he’s right.