Iran Military Forces

Strategic Position

Iran’s defense posture is shaped by a regional rivalry with Israel and the presence of United States military assets in the Middle East. The primary security objective is the preservation of the clerical-political system and the maintenance of territorial integrity. To achieve this, Tehran employs a "forward defense" doctrine, which utilizes a network of non-state actors—collectively known as the Axis of Resistance—in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen to project influence and establish a buffer zone.

Iran is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS group. Its strategic depth is increasingly supported by a deepening military-technical partnership with Russia, formalized through long-term cooperation agreements that include intelligence sharing and joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman. A 25-year strategic agreement with China encompasses economic and security cooperation, focusing on maritime stability and infrastructure.

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 responsible for conventional territorial defense, while the IRGC focuses on internal security and asymmetric regional operations. Both report to the Supreme Leader through the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

Total active personnel are approximately 610,000, including 350,000 in the Artesh and 190,000 in the IRGC. The Basij paramilitary force serves as a large-scale mobilization reserve, with several hundred thousand members available for internal security and auxiliary roles.

Ground Forces: - The Army Ground Force operates Karrar, Zulfiqar, and T-72S main battle tanks.
- Armored units include M60A1 and Chieftain platforms, supported by BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and BTR-60 armored personnel carriers.
- Artillery capabilities consist of Raad-1 and Raad-2 self-propelled howitzers and the Fajr-5 multiple launch rocket system.

Air and Air Defense Forces: - The Air Force (IRIAF) is undergoing modernization with the integration of Russian-made Su-35 multirole fighters and Yak-130 combat trainers.
- Legacy platforms remain in service, including F-14 Tomcat, MiG-29, F-4 Phantom II, and F-5 Tiger II aircraft.
- Integrated air defense is managed by the Air Defense Force, utilizing the indigenous Bavar-373 long-range system and the Russian S-300.

Naval Forces: - The Navy (IRIN) operates Moudge-class frigates and Jamaran-class destroyers.
- Submarine forces include Kilo-class diesel-electric boats, Fateh-class coastal submarines, and Ghadir-class midget submarines.
- The IRGC Navy (IRGCN) emphasizes asymmetric maritime warfare, utilizing Shahid Soleimani-class catamarans and swarms of fast attack craft armed with anti-ship missiles.

Specialized Capabilities: - The IRGC Aerospace Force maintains a diverse ballistic missile arsenal, including the Sejjil, Khorramshahr-4, and the Fattah-1 hypersonic glide vehicle.
- The Quds Force conducts external unconventional warfare and oversees regional proxy coordination.
- Cyber Defense Command manages offensive and defensive operations targeting critical infrastructure and communication networks.

Defense Industry

The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) manages the domestic defense industrial base through state-owned entities such as the Defense Industries Organization (DIO) and the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO). The industry is largely self-sufficient in the production of missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and small arms.

Key indigenous programs include: - The Shahed and Mohajer series of loitering munitions and reconnaissance drones.
- The Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missiles.
- The Bavar-373 surface-to-air missile system.

Iran maintains an active defense export program, providing UAV technology and missile components to Russia and several nations in Africa and South America. Production lines focus on high-quantity, low-cost asymmetric assets to offset gaps in conventional aviation and heavy armor.

Strategic Trends

The 2025 and 2026 defense budgets reflect a shift toward high-technology modernization, with increased allocations for the IRGC’s aerospace and cyber divisions. Defense spending is estimated at approximately 3% of GDP, though this figure excludes extra-budgetary funding derived from oil quotas and commercial activities.

Doctrinal shifts emphasize "deterrence by punishment," utilizing precision-guided munitions and drone swarms to target an adversary's critical infrastructure. Iran is also expanding its space-based capabilities, using the Simorgh and Ghaem-100 launch vehicles to deploy military communication and reconnaissance satellites. Modernization priorities include the acquisition of Russian Mi-28 attack helicopters and the development of long-range cruise missiles to extend the country's operational strike range.