'Without IRGC efforts, Daesh would have dominated Europe': Raeisi

President Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi hailed the role that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps played in the fight against terrorism in the region, noting that European countries would have been dominated by Daesh terrorists without IRGC's efforts.

"If it weren't for the actions of the IRGC and the zealous fighters of the Islamic Ummah against Daesh, Europe would have been dominated by the terror group by now," Raeisi said while addressing the second day of the Supreme Assembly of Commanders of the IRGC on Friday in Tehran.

"The peaceful life Europe enjoys today is a result of the efforts of the IRGC; however, it is unfortunate that they are assassinating the heroes who combat terrorism and labeling the IRGC, which leads the fight against terrorism, as terrorists," he said, adding that this raises important questions that international organizations must address.

The IRGC, also known as the “Sepah”, was established on April 22, 1979, by the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini as a paramilitary organization tasked with protecting the newborn Islamic Republic.

The force closely cooperates with the Iranian Army to counter foreign threats as manifested during the 8-year war imposed by former Iraqi dictator Saddam on Iran in the 1980s. The IRGC has made great sacrifices in the fight against terror outfits operating in the region.

SS