Al-Monitor- The popularity of Iran�s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has spiked, at least on social media, following�US President�Donald Trump�laying out a new strategy�on Oct. 13 that increases�the likelihood of not only the collapse�of the nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers, but also the likelihood of a military conflict and aggressive efforts to bring about regime change in Tehran. In the same strategy speech, Trump said he had authorized the Treasury to impose additional sanctions on the IRGC.


A day after Trump's�speech from the White House, Iranian�Foreign Minister�Mohammad Javad�Zarif�tweeted, �Today, Iranians ��boys, girls, men, women ��are ALL IRGC; standing with those who defend us & the region against aggression and terror.� On Oct. 11, President�Hassan Rouhani�also addressed the IRGC and the possibility of US sanctions against them. He remarked, �If America wants to�commit its next big mistake�and take action against the IRGC, this is a mistake upon a mistake.�

Rouhani continued, �The IRGC is not only a military organization, but the IRGC is in the hearts of the people and has defended the nation any time there has been a danger against national interests.� He added that the IRGC is not only popular among�the Iranian people, but also in Iraq, including�Iraqi Kurdistan, Syria and Lebanon.

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