Regardless if it is Khamenei or the IRGC who is responsible for the terror plot, the Islamic Republic should be held responsible and should also pay a price for its adventurist policies. Otherwise a bolder and more assertive leadership in Tehran will test Washington’s redlines.

Let there be no mistake: Masud Rajavi"s Mujahedin-e Khalq is a terrorist group.

By following fluctuations in the careers of other individuals in Major General Qassem Suleimani's network, we can assess his power in the Islamic Republic.

This Outlook provides biographical background on Suleimani that shows why he was chosen as IRGC Quds Force chief.

The career of Iraj Masjedi, including his service at Base Ramezan and his promotion to senior adviser to Qassem Suleimani, highlights a cycle of generational change within the IRGC QF, and offers an indication of where to find Iran's future Quds Force leaders.

On May 18, President Barack Obama imposed sanctions against Major General Qassem Suleimani. To counter Suleimani and the Quds Force, US strategists need to understand his history of overconfident behavior and military successes.

The Iranian Basji, or "people's militia," were initially intended to have a security role, and have made more frequent political interventions since the 2005 election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In its support of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 2009 presidential election, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is assuming an unprecedented role in politics.