Historical Organization
Basij
Basij
Details
Organization Timeline
Revolutionary Council legally establishes National Basij organization
📅 10 July 1980The Revolutionary Council adopted the legal bill establishing the National Basij organization. This institutional framework preceded the mass volunteer role that developed during the war.
Basij is placed under Revolutionary Guards command
📅 18 January 1981A law ratified by the Majlis incorporated the National Basij into the Revolutionary Guards and transferred its administration, command and resources. The change structured Iran’s wartime volunteer...
Rafsanjani receives authority to coordinate Iran’s armed forces
📅 2 June 1988Khomeini gave Rafsanjani authority to coordinate the armed forces and unify wartime command and resources. The decree addressed Army, IRGC and Basij coordination amid Iran’s military setbacks.
Khomeini outlines a continuing postwar role for Basij
📅 23 November 1988Khomeini praised the Basij and called for its continuing role, including organization among university and seminary students. His message envisioned volunteer mobilization beyond the battlefield after...