Ayatollah Khamenei warns of enemies' plot to tarnish image of IRGC, Basij volunteer forces

"One of the main parts of the enemy’s activities is to tarnish the image of the IRGC and that of Basij [volunteer forces]. Why is that? Because the IRGC is awe-inspiring, Basij is impressive, which makes them (enemies) worried and anxious," the Leader stated.

Enemies know no way to tarnish the image of the IRGC but through "false news and rumors and all kinds of tricks and ploys,” the Leader added, praising the IRGC elite force as “the world’s biggest anti-terrorism organization."

The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with the Supreme Assembly of Commanders of the IRGC in Tehran on Thursday.

The last meeting between Ayatollah Khamenei and senior IRGC commanders was held some four years ago with the presence of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s top anti-terror general who was assassinated by the United States a few months after the meeting.