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Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-sanctions-guards-insight-idUSKCN0UX2M3
Iran's Revolutionary Guards to Gain Regional, Economic Power in Post-Sanctions Era
(Reuters) Parisa Hafezi - Iran's Revolutionary Guards did well under international sanctions, and they are destined to become still richer now that the sanctions been lifted. One senior Iranian security official signaled financing would grow for the Guards and its overseas arm, the Qods force. Another senior official said, "It is very clear that our leaders will not hesitate to allocate more funds to the IRGC when needed." One Western diplomat estimated last year that business activities controlled by the Guards had an annual turnover of $10-12 billion. The Guards are involved in a wide range of industries, including energy, tourism, auto production, telecommunications and construction. The Guards were also rewarded with major contracts after suppressing pro-reform protests in 2009. The Guards' construction branch, Khatam Al-Anbia, won a $1.2 billion contract to build a line on the Tehran metro.