What are the main security agencies in Iran and their roles?

• A. The CIA, MI6, and NSA
• B. The IRGC, the Ministry of Intelligence, and the Basij
• C. The Ministry of Defense
• D. The police and judiciary

Answer: (B)

Iran’s security framework hinges on three main actors that cover military power, intelligence, and mass mobilization. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operates as a parallel armed force with its own security wings and overseas components, focusing on safeguarding the regime both domestically and abroad. The Ministry of Intelligence handles civilian intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, and security investigations, making it the primary state body for internal security and espionage. The Basij is a large volunteer paramilitary force under the IRGC that mobilizes civilians for internal security, public order, and rapid response in crises, extending the regime’s reach into society.

This combination—military strength via the IRGC, intelligence via the Ministry of Intelligence, and popular mobilization via the Basij—describes Iran’s core security structure. The other options point to agencies outside Iran or describe components that are not the main security triad in the same way.