Reuters: Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Poised to Gain Billions if Sanctions Lifted
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stands to gain billions of dollars if sanctions are lifted and a comprehensive nuclear deal is reached.
- The IRGC has established a vast economic network across sectors like oil, energy, and construction, making it poised to benefit significantly from renewed foreign investment.
- Despite being designated a terrorist organization by some Western countries, the IRGC's deep integration into the Iranian economy presents a major hurdle for the country's international reintegration.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could see billions of dollars flow into its coffers if comprehensive sanctions relief follows a potential nuclear agreement, according to Reuters. The IRGC, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and some Western nations, has built an extensive economic network spanning oil, energy, construction, port management, telecommunications, logistics, and maritime transport.
Four senior Iranian sources told Reuters that the IRGC is strategically positioned to be a primary beneficiary of sanctions removal. They anticipate the organization will capture a significant share of new investments as oil exports rebound and foreign capital returns to Iran. This economic influence is seen as a key factor in the Iranian government's stability.
The IRGC is the real winner of the war.
However, the IRGC's designation as a terrorist entity poses a significant obstacle to Iran's reintegration into the global financial system. Experts note that international investors, particularly Western companies, may face legal and political risks if forced to partner with IRGC-affiliated entities, as Iranian law often mandates local partnerships.
Even if a comprehensive deal fails and sanctions largely remain, the IRGC is expected to maintain its economic sway. Sources indicate that the organization has developed robust mechanisms over the years to circumvent sanctions, allowing it to retain control over oil exports and foreign trade.
The organization's economic impact is extremely large, with trade networks, oil activities, maritime transport, and construction projects worth billions of dollars.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.