re: #659 pre-Boomer Marine brat

In part, it’s the military, but the Iranian military is segmented. There’s the traditional Army, the Artesh, and the IRGC, Revolutionary Guards (aka Pasdaran).

The Pasdaran was formed to protect the Islamic Revolution. Dinnerjacket is a former member, and has replaced at least some of the senior commanders in the Artesh with Pasdaran people.

I can come up with my original links if you want.

No need for the links, I do recall. The Revolutionary guards are a paramilitary controlled by the Mullahs. The Army was violently purged By the Ayotollah whe he returned from France.
The Military is key, if they turn on the Mullahs, everything changes.