Mohsen Sazegara, a former advisor to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and a key figure in the establishment of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has expressed deep disillusionment with the organization he helped create. Sazegara, who now lives in exile in the United States, described the IRGC as a "monstrous murder machine" and a "dragon with seven heads" that has spiraled into a brutal force responsible for widespread repression and external operations.
Sazegara, who was part of the generation that rallied against the Shah and supported Khomeini's revolution, played a pivotal role in the new Islamic order. In 1979, he was responsible for writing the IRGC's first charter and served on its original board of commanders. He justified this decision at the time, believing the force was necessary for Iran's protection, particularly after Saddam Hussein's invasion in 1980. However, his perspective shifted over time.
He became increasingly disillusioned with the regime's repressive nature, citing instances like the torture of inmates by Tehran's chief prosecutor, Asadollah Lajevardi, as a turning point. Sazegara realized that the regime's problems were not accidental but intrinsic to its ideology. He came to view the "maximal theory of religion - Islamism" as unworkable, comparing it to Marxist ideology.
Sazegara also addressed his lack of guilt regarding his role in the IRGC's creation. He argues that he did not create the "monster" it has become today, asserting that the organization has been corrupted and now engages in activities such as the suppression of civilians, terrorist activities abroad, and illicit trafficking. He believes the current IRGC leadership lacks genuine religious conviction, likening their religiosity to a "thin layer of cream over a cake."
The IRGC, estimated to have over 180,000 active personnel and supported by volunteer paramilitaries, is known for its external operations through the Quds Force. This branch is responsible for training proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, collectively referred to as the "Axis of Resistance."
Sazegara's disillusionment extended to the broader system of the Islamic Republic. He attempted to reform the constitution to separate religion from the state and dismantle the concept of clerical guardianship, known as velayat-e faqih. These reformist efforts led to his imprisonment in 2003, after which he was permitted to leave Iran for medical treatment. He now advocates for civil resistance, including strikes and non-cooperation, as the path to change the regime, rather than foreign intervention.
He also reflected on his past anti-Western stance, now acknowledging the value of Western civilization. Sazegara hopes that the potential fall of the Iranian regime will serve as a lesson to Muslims worldwide that "Islamism doesn't work," paving the way for a more modern and liberal interpretation of Islam. He predicts that change in Iran will be gradual, driven from within, and marked by unexpected events.
The current leadership structure in Iran is also in flux. The recent bombing of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's compound, which reportedly killed him and led to his son Mojtaba's ascension, has introduced further uncertainty. Sazegara suggests Mojtaba may struggle to manage the complex system his father meticulously built, potentially leading to instability. He described Khamenei's leadership as a "suit, tailor-made" to his style, implying it may not fit his successor.