Iran Military Forces 🇮🇷

Strategic Position

Iran occupies a geographic position between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south and the Caspian Sea to the north. It shares land borders with Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Its control over the northern shore of the Strait of Hormuz provides the ability to monitor and influence maritime traffic through a chokepoint used for approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption.

The Iranian defense doctrine is centered on deterrence and asymmetric warfare, categorized by the state as "Forward Defense." This strategy prioritizes the development of long-range strike capabilities and the support of a network of non-state actors across the Middle East, including groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. This network aims to extend Iran’s operational depth and create a buffer against regional adversaries, primarily Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as the United States' military presence in the region.

Iran is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS group. It maintains a bilateral defense relationship with Russia, involving the exchange of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for advanced aviation and air defense technology. Iran also holds a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with China, which includes provisions for intelligence sharing and joint exercises.

Military Forces

The Iranian military is characterized by a dual-command structure consisting of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Artesh is tasked with territorial integrity and conventional defense, while the IRGC is responsible for internal security and the protection of the political system. Total active personnel across both organizations is approximately 600,000, supported by a reserve force and the Basij paramilitary volunteer force.

The Artesh Ground Forces operate T-72 and locally produced Karrar main battle tanks, supported by M60A1 and Chieftain platforms. The Army Aviation branch maintains a fleet of AH-1J SeaCobra attack helicopters and CH-47C Chinook transport helicopters. The IRGC Ground Forces focus on high-mobility units and asymmetric tactics, employing light armored vehicles and technicals.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) maintains a fleet of aging Western and Soviet-era aircraft, including F-14 Tomcat, F-4 Phantom II, and MiG-29 fighters. In 2025, the IRIAF began integrating Su-35 multirole fighters into its inventory. Integrated air defense is managed by the Air Defense Force, which operates the indigenous Bavar-373 long-range surface-to-air missile system alongside the Russian-made S-300.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) operates Moudge-class frigates and Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines. The IRGC Navy (IRGCN) focuses on littoral defense and swarm tactics, utilizing a high volume of fast attack craft equipped with anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.

The IRGC Aerospace Force manages Iran’s ballistic and cruise missile inventory, which includes the Khorramshahr, Sejjil, and Kheibar Shekan series. The Quds Force, a specialized branch of the IRGC, conducts unconventional warfare and intelligence operations outside Iranian borders.

Defense Industry

Iran operates an extensive domestic defense industry coordinated through the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). The Defense Industries Organization (DIO) and the Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) oversee the production of small arms, armored vehicles, and missile systems.

Self-sufficiency is a primary goal due to long-term international sanctions. Domestic programs have produced the Fateh and Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missiles and the Ghadir and Soumar cruise missiles. The UAV industry, led by companies such as Shahed Aviation Industries, produces the Shahed-136 loitering munition and the Mohajer-6 reconnaissance and strike drone. These systems have been exported and used in multiple regional and international conflicts.

Iran’s naval industry builds the Moudge-class frigates and Ghadir-class midget submarines. While domestic production meets most requirements for light and medium equipment, Iran remains dependent on external partners, specifically Russia, for advanced jet engines and high-end sensors.

Strategic Trends

Defense spending for the 2025-2026 period reflects a focus on the modernization of the IRIAF and the expansion of the integrated air defense network. The acquisition of Su-35 aircraft and Yak-130 trainers marks a shift from reliance on legacy airframes toward a more modern air-to-air capability.

The military is increasingly prioritizing cyber warfare and electronic warfare capabilities, integrating these into the command structures of both the Artesh and the IRGC. Doctrinal shifts in 2026 emphasize "deep strike" capabilities, using precision-guided munitions and UAV swarms to bypass traditional air defenses.

Constraints on the military include the ongoing economic impact of sanctions, which limits the scale of capital intensive procurement from foreign suppliers. Additionally, the maintenance of legacy Western equipment requires significant resources for reverse-engineering parts. The military continues to transition toward a force structure that combines conventional deterrence with the high-frequency deployment of unmanned systems.