The killing of General Soleimani by the United States has led to uproar in Iran. Massive crowds have accompanied his coffin through the streets and he is now hailed as a martyr. Retaliation has started with a missile attack against US airbases in Iraq, led by The Revolutionary Guard (IRGC).

David Aaronovitch examines the history and political clout of one of the most feared military organisations in the world. The IRGC's sphere of influence spreads deep into Iranian society and abroad too. What role will it play in what happens next and what impact will recent events have on US and Iranian foreign policy?

Contributors:

Ambassador Barbara Leaf, former US ambassador to the UAE and senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, research fellow at The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)

Ali Alfoneh, senior fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute, Washington DC

Azadeh Moaveni, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group

Mehrzad Boroujerdi, Director of the School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech.

Producers: Rosamund Jones, Jordan Dunbar and Kirsteen Knight