Did Iran Suffer a Coup?

The results of Iran's June 12 election remain contested, but one thing has emerged clearly from the conflict: the widening grip of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on all facets of Iranian society, The New York Times reports. Founded 30 years ago as a militia force that could serve Islamic revolutionary leaders, the group has now extended its presence into all parts of Iranian life. Its aggressive response to dissent following the recent election is leading political analysts to describe the event as a military coup. According to experts, the corps now manages everything from the country's nuclear program to the manufacturing of cars. Its status has only increased with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power.