Iran’s Basij: The Basij is a huge paramilitary volunteer force in Iran. Its name means “The Mobilisation”. It works as part of the Islamic Republic’s security system and is often described as the “eyes and ears” of the state. The group was created in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini and later became one of the five branches of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also called the IRGC.
Its main job is not regular frontline war. Instead, it is mostly used for internal control, public monitoring, and enforcing the ruling system’s ideology inside the country.
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The Basij helps the Iranian state watch what is happening on the streets and react fast if there is unrest. Reports say it has long been used to deal with protests and control public behaviour. It is also known for enforcing strict religious and social rules in places like universities and parks. Because of this role, reports often call its members a “morality police”.
Who Led the Force?
For years, the Basij was headed by General Gholamreza Soleimani. Iranian state media and Reuters reported on March 17 that he was killed in strikes during the current Iran conflict. His death came during a much bigger crisis that has already shaken Iran’s top leadership. Reuters has also reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28, and that Mojtaba Khamenei later became the new Supreme Leader.
Even after losing its commander, the Basij has remained active. Reports say Basij units have expanded patrols in Tehran and set up checkpoints in the city to stop unrest during the war. Reuters also reported that Israeli strikes hit multiple Basij positions in Tehran and Kermanshah, including units linked by reports to the suppression of protests that took place from December 2025 to January 2026.
Basij Importance
The Basij is seen as one of the government’s main tools for crushing dissent. Reports link it to the crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement, the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, and the anti-government protests seen again in early 2026. This is why the force carries so much weight inside Iran. It is not just a volunteer group in name. It plays a central part in keeping control on the streets.
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Iranian official figures have claimed membership as high as 23.8 million, but independent estimates put the active force at around 450,000 to 1,000,000 people. Many of its members are young and strongly loyal to the ruling system. Reports say some join because it can help with things like university entry or promotions in government jobs. The group is also reported to run a large network of “covert” businesses in areas such as construction, real estate, and the stock market.
Another important point is the leadership link. Al Jazeera has reported that Mojtaba Khamenei built close ties with the IRGC from a young age and served in a militia battalion during the Iran-Iraq War.
