Iran's Elite Military Force Faces Limitations

The IRGC, Iran's elite military body, can influence the scope and direction of talks with Washington over Iran's nuclear program, but it cannot derail them. The IRGC has several options for leverage as it tries to limit the policy changes that would diminish its power, including an economic opening brought about by an agreement between Iran and the United States. However, it has to operate within the constitutional parameters that limit its influence over Tehran's policy-making process or else risk damaging the Islamic republic it is sworn to defend....