TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) -- Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), asked MPs to refrain from extremism and honor the Majlis and its status. The IRGC Public Relations Department has reported that Safavi wrote in a letter to the Majlis speaker on Sunday, “The IRGC considers itself responsible for the defense of the Islamic Revolution, its achievements, and the ideology and values of Imam Khomeini based upon its legal and historic duties. We insist upon avoiding political games and infighting among different parties and groups.” Safavi referred to Article 2 of the IRGC Charter and said, “Our main mission is to stop those who wish to destroy and overthrow the Islamic Revolution. Therefore, all of the activities of the IRGC are legal. If the MPs have any doubts about this they can make inquiries through normal channels.”

“Now that the country is at an important juncture and is facing foreign threats, blind attacks against the system, revolutionary institutions, and the principled values of society can be interpreted as nothing but efforts to weaken national sovereignty and security,” the Fars News Agency quoted the Public Relations Department as saying. Safavi ended his letter by saying, “We expect all the intelligent and revolutionary Majlis deputies to understand the prevailing critical conditions affecting the country. This requires the prudence, unity, and solidarity of all parties. MPs should also refrain from extremist actions and respect the dignity of the Majlis.”

During an open session of the Majlis last week, only part of the IRGC reply to the inquiry of one of the MPs was read out.

Fatima Haqiqatjou had accused the IRGC of torturing university student prisoners.