View source for Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces

{{Short description|Combined military forces of Iran}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces
| image = Seal of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.svg
| alt = IRIAF
| caption = Logo of the [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran|General Staff of the Armed Forces]]<!-- <br><hr>Anthem of the Iranian Armed Forces:{{vunblist |''[[Royal Salute (anthem)|Irân-e Javân/Vatanam]]''|{{raise|0.35em|{{small|''Young Iran/My Homeland''}}}}}}{{center|[[File:Salam-e shah 1906.ogg]]}} -->
| image2 = 
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| motto = 
| founded = 
| current_form = 
| disbanded = 
| branches = {{Plainlist|
* {{armed forces|Iran|name=Army}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran.svg}} [[Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Police Command]]}}
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution.svg}} [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Revolutionary Guards]]
| headquarters = Eshrat Abad, [[Tehran]], [[Iran]]
| flying_hours = 
| website = <!--{{URL|example.mil}}-->
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = {{flagicon image|flag of Iran.svg}} [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]] [[Ali Khamenei]]
| commander-in-chief_title = {{nowrap|[[Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces|Commander-in-chief]]}}
| chief minister = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran.svg}} [[Brigadier General|BG]] [[Aziz Nasirzadeh]]
| chief minister_title = [[Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (Iran)|Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics]]
| minister = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Ministry of Interior (Iran).svg}} [[Brigadier General|BG]] [[Eskandar Momeni]]
| minister_title = [[Ministry of Interior (Iran)|Minister of Interior]]
| chief_of_staff = {{flagicon image|Flag of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.svg}} [[Major General|MG]] [[Abdolrahim Mousavi]]
| chief_of_staff_title = [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Chief of the General Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18
| conscription = Yes
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 
| available = 
| available_f = 
| fit = 
| fit_f = 
| reaching = 
| reaching_f = 
| active = 610,000<ref name="IISS2">{{cite book |url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2023 |title=The Military Balance 2023 |author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=15 February 2023 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |pages=324–328 |isbn=9781032508955}}</ref>
| ranked = 9th
| reserve = 350,000<ref name="IISS2" />
| deployed = 
| amount = {{USD| 15.8 billion|link=yes}} (2025)<ref name="SIPRI-2020">{{cite web |last1=Tian |first1=Nan |last2=Fleurant |first2=Aude |last3=Kuimova |first3=Alexandra |last4=Wezeman |first4=Pieter D. |last5=Wezeman |first5=Siemon T. |date=24 April 2022 |title=Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2021 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/fs_2204_milex_2021_0.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425064753/https://www.sipri.org/publications/2022/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-world-military-expenditure-2021 |archive-date=25 April 2022 |access-date=25 April 2022 |publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]}}</ref>
| percent_GDP = 2.5% (2025)<ref name="SIPRI-2020" />
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = {{hlist||[[Defense Industries Organization|DIO]]|[[Iran Aviation Industries Organization|IAIO]]|[[Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company|HESA]]|[[Iran Aircraft Industries|IACI]]|[[PANHA|IHSRC]]|[[Qods Aviation Industry Company|QAIC]]|[[Aerospace Industries Organization|AIO]]|[[Iran Electronics Industries|IEI]]|[[Marine Industries Organization|MIO]]|[[SADRA]]|[[ISOICO]]}}
| foreign_suppliers = 
| imports = 
| exports = {{Plainlist|
* {{flagu|Russia}}<ref name="dia">{{citation|title=Iran Military Power: Ensuring Regime Survival and Securing Regional Dominance|url=https://www.dia.mil/Portals/27/Documents/News/Military%20Power%20Publications/Iran_Military_Power_LR.pdf|date=August 2019|publisher=Defense Intelligence Agency|isbn=978-0-16-095157-2|id=DIA-Q-00055-A|page=90}}</ref>
* {{flag|Iraq}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flagu|China}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|Sudan}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|Ethiopia}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|Afghanistan}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|North Korea}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|Cuba}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|Nicaragua}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|Bolivia}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|Pakistan}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|Tajikistan}}<ref>{{citation|title=Iran inaugurates new drone production line in Tajikistan|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iran-inaugurates-new-drone-production-line-in-tajikistan/2022/05/17/98f39690-d60a-11ec-be17-286164974c54_story.html|date=17 May 2022|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
* {{flag|Armenia}}<ref name="dia" />
* {{flag|Venezuela}}<ref name="dia" />}}{{flag|Serbia}}<br />{{flag|Lebanon}}<br />{{flag|Belarus}}<br />{{flag|Yemen}}<br />{{flag|Algeria}}
<!-- Related articles -->
----
'''Former''' :
*{{flag|United States}}<ref name="dia" />
*{{flag|Israel}}<ref name="dia" />

+ {{Currency|2.5 billion|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} (2024)
| history = {{Plainlist|
* [[Military history of Iran]]
* [[Kurdish separatism in Iran]]
* [[Anglo-Soviet Invasion of Iran]]
* [[Iran crisis of 1946]]
* [[Dhofar Rebellion]]
* [[Seizure of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs|Seizure of Abu Musa]]
* [[Consolidation of the Iranian Revolution]]
* [[Iran–Iraq War]]
* [[Kurdish Civil War]]
* [[2001 uprising in Herat|Herat Uprising]]
* [[Balochistan conflict]]
* [[Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present)]]
* [[Iranian involvement in the Syrian civil war]]
* [[2024 Iran–Israel conflict]]
* [[Iran-Israel war]]
}}
| ranks = [[Rank insignia of the Iranian military]]
| native_name = نیروهای مسلح جمهوری اسلامی ایران
}}

The '''Iranian Armed Forces''',{{efn|{{langx|fa|نيروهای مسلح ايران|Niruhâ-ye Mosallah-e Irân}}}} officially the '''Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces''',{{efn|{{langx|fa|نيروهای مسلح جمهوری اسلامی ايران|Niruhâ-ye Mosallah-e Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Irân}}, {{IPA|fa|niːɾuːˈhɒːje mosælˈlæhe d͡ʒʊmhuːˈɾiːje eslɒːˈmiːje iːˈɾɒːn|pron}}}} are the combined military forces of [[Iran]], comprising the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army]] (''Artesh''), the [[Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Police Command]] (''Faraja'') and the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (''Sepah''), (abbreviation: ''IRGC'')<ref name="Encyclopaedia Britannica">{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamic-Revolutionary-Guard-Corps|title = Encyclopaedia Britannica: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps}}</ref>

Iranian Armed Forces are the largest in the [[Middle East]] in terms of active troops.<ref name="globalfirepower">{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.php|title = 2021 Military Strength Ranking}}</ref> Iran's military forces are made up of approximately 610,000 [[Active duty|active-duty]] personnel plus 350,000 [[Military reserve|reserve]] and trained personnel that can be mobilized when needed, bringing the country's military manpower to about 960,000 total personnel.<ref name="IISS1" /> These numbers do not include [[Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Law Enforcement Command]] or [[Basij]].

Most of Iran's imported weapons consist of American systems purchased before the [[Iranian Revolution|1979 Islamic ,]], with limited purchases from Russia in the 1990s following the [[Iran–Iraq War]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/iranian-army-tasks-and-capabilities|title = The Iranian Army: Tasks and Capabilities|access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Larson|first=Caleb|date=2020-04-01|title=How Iran Got Russia's Deadly MiG-29 Fighter|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/how-iran-got-russias-deadly-mig-29-fighter-139547|access-date=2021-04-12|website=The National Interest|language=en}}</ref> However, the country has since then launched a robust domestic rearmament program,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Analysis of Defence Sector in Iran (2018 - 2023) {{!}} Size {{!}} Share|url=https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/analysis-of-defence-sector-in-iran|access-date=28 March 2021|website=|language=en}}</ref> and its inventory has become [[Defense industry of Iran|increasingly indigenous]]. According to Iranian officials, most of the country's military hardware is domestically manufactured, and the country had become an exporter of arms by the 2000s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Iran's Revived Weapons Exports Could Boost Its Proxies|url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/how-irans-revived-weapons-exports-could-boost-its-proxies|access-date=2021-03-27|website=The Washington Institute|language=en}}</ref> Unable to import weapon systems from abroad due to [[Sanctions against Iran|international and U.S. sanctions]], and suffering from an increasingly aging air force fleet, Iran has invested considerable funds into an ambitious [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force|ballistic and cruise missile program]] for mid-range strike capability,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pentagon says Iran's missiles unrivaled in Middle East|url=https://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-says-irans-missiles-unrivaled-middle-east-211808212.html|access-date=2021-03-28|website=news.yahoo.com|language=en-US}}</ref> and has manufactured different types of arms and munitions, including [[tank]]s, [[Armoured fighting vehicle|armoured vehicles]] and [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|drones]], as well as various naval assets and aerial defense systems.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Iran Develops Air Defense Capability for Possible Regional Role|url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/iran-develops-air-defense-capability-possible-regional-role|access-date=2021-03-28|website=The Washington Institute|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sutton|first=H. I.|title=Iranian Navy Building New Submarines And A 6,000-Ton Destroyer|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2020/04/04/iranian-navy-building-new-submarines-and-a-6000-ton-destroyer/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Beckhusen|first=Robert|date=2019-09-07|title=How Does Iran's Karrar Tank Compare to The Best of the Best?|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/how-does-irans-karrar-tank-compare-best-best-78741|access-date=2021-03-28|website=The National Interest|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-01|title=How to Combat the Iranian Drone Threat|url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2020/09/01/iran-drone-threat/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=The Defense Post|language=en-US}}</ref>

Iran's [[Iranian Space Agency|ballistic missile and space program]] is an internationally hot political topic over which it has consistently refused to negotiate. Iranian authorities state that the country's missile program is not designed to deliver [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear payloads]], but is used only for [[surgical strike|surgical strikes.]]  It is therefore not relevant to any [[Nuclear program of Iran|nuclear negotiations]] with the [[P5+1]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-12-14|title=Iran's missile programme is non-negotiable, says Rouhani|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-nuclear-usa-int-idUSKBN28O1KU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214140237/https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-nuclear-usa-int-idUSKBN28O1KU|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 December 2020|access-date=2021-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sharafedin|first=Bozorgmehr|date=2016-03-30|title=Khamenei says missiles, not just talks, key to Iran's future|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-missiles-khamenei-idUSKCN0WW0PT|access-date=2021-04-12}}</ref>

The [[UAVs in the Iranian military|Iranian drone program]] has also raised concerns across the Middle East and much of the Western world, especially with proliferation among Iranian-allied forces in the Middle East, as well as exports to countries hostile to the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SFRC Approves Stop Iranian Drones Act {{!}} United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations |url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/chair/release/sfrc-approves-stop-iranian-drones-act |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.foreign.senate.gov |date=9 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref> According to [[United States Central Command|U.S. Central Command]] chief [[Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.|Gen. Kenneth McKenzie]], the U.S. is "for the first time since the Korean War operating without complete air superiority" due to threats posed by Iranian drones.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran's Game of Drones |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/irans-game-drones |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Washington Institute |language=en}}</ref>

All branches of the armed forces fall under the command of the [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran|General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces]]. The [[Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (Iran)|Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics]] is responsible for planning [[Military logistics|logistics]] and funding of the armed forces and is not involved with in-the-field military operational command. The commander-in-chief of the armed forces is the [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]].

The dual military structure of the [[Artesh]] and [[IRGC|the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC) has led to structural inefficiencies, with redundancies in command, logistics, and military systems across all branches, including air, naval, and ground forces. This setup has been criticized for its lack of transparency, limited parliamentary oversight, and its questionable contribution to national defense.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025 |title=Two Armies, One People and No Security |url=https://www.visegrad24.com/articles/two-armies-one-people-and-no-security |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.visegrad24.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran |url=https://ti-defence.org/gdi/countries/iran/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Government Defence Integrity Index |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|Military history of Iran}}

After the [[1953 Iranian coup d'état|coup in 1953]], Iran began purchasing some weapons from [[Israel]], the United States and other countries of the [[Western Bloc]]. Later on, Iran began establishing its own armaments industry; its efforts in this remained largely unrecognized internationally, until recently.

Following the [[Iranian revolution]] in 1979, deteriorating relations with the U.S. resulted in international sanctions led by the US, including an arms embargo being imposed on Iran.

Revolutionary Iran was taken by surprise by the Iraqi invasion that began the [[Iran–Iraq War]] of 1980–1988. During this conflict, there were several conflicts against the United States. From 1987, the [[United States Central Command]] sought to stop Iranian [[naval mine|mine-laying]] vessels from blocking the international [[sea lane]]s through the [[Persian Gulf]] in [[Operation Prime Chance]]. The operation lasted until 1989. On April 18, 1988, the US retaliated for the Iranian [[naval mine|mining]] of the {{USS|Samuel B. Roberts|FFG-58|6}} in [[Operation Praying Mantis]]. Simultaneously, the Iranian armed forces had to learn to maintain and keep operational, their large stocks of US-built equipment and weaponry, without outside help, due to the American-led sanctions. However, Iran was able to obtain limited amounts of American-made armaments, when it was able to buy American spare parts and weaponry for its armed forces, during the [[Iran–Contra affair]]. At first, deliveries came via Israel and later, from the US.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Iran-Contra Affair 20 Years On|url=https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB210/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=nsarchive2.gwu.edu}}</ref>

The Iranian government established a five-year rearmament program in 1989 to replace worn-out weaponry from the Iran–Iraq War. Between 1989 and 1992, Iran spent $10 billion on arms, some of which were designed to prevent other states' naval vessels from accessing the sea, including marines and long-range Soviet planes capable of attacking aircraft carriers.<ref name=Pipes1992>{{cite journal|last=Pipes|first=Daniel|author2=Patrick Clawson|title=Ambitious Iran, Troubled Neighbors|journal=Foreign Affairs|year=1992–1993|volume=72|issue=1|page=127 |doi=10.2307/20045501|jstor=20045501}}</ref>
[[File:Iranian Cavalery 1930.jpg|thumb|right|Iranian cavalry in 1930]]
A former military-associated police force, the [[Iranian Gendarmerie]], was merged with the National Police ([[Shahrbani]]) and [[Islamic Revolution Committees]] in 1990.
[[File:Iran-Iraq War photos by Amir Ali Javadian (05).jpg|thumb|right|Iranian soldiers during [[Iran–Iraq War|Iran-Iraq war]], 1980s]]
In 1991, the Iranian armed forces received a number of Iraqi military aircraft being evacuated from the Persian [[Gulf War]] of that year; most of which were incorporated into the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.

Since 2003 there have been repeated US and British allegations that Iranian forces have been covertly involved in the [[Iraq War]]. In 2004, Iranian armed forces [[2004 Iranian seizure of Royal Navy personnel|took Royal Navy personnel]], on the [[Shatt al-Arab]] (Arvand Rud in Persian) river, between Iran and Iraq. They were released three days later following diplomatic discussions between the UK and Iran.

In 2007, Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces also [[2007 Iranian seizure of Royal Navy personnel|took prisoner]] [[Royal Navy]] personnel prisoner when a boarding party from {{HMS|Cornwall|F99|6}} was seized in the waters between Iran and Iraq, in the Persian Gulf. They were released thirteen days later.

Since 1979, there have been no foreign military bases present in Iran. According to Article 146 of the [[Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Iranian Constitution]], the establishment of any foreign military base in the country is forbidden, even for peaceful purposes.<ref name=rferl1200466>{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/Content/Russian_Military_Alliance_With_Iran_Improbable/1200466.html|title=Russian Military Alliance With Iran Improbable Due To Diverging Interests|work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |publisher=RFE/RL|access-date=2008-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918093349/http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Military_Alliance_With_Iran_Improbable/1200466.html|archive-date=18 September 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 4 December 2011, an American [[Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel|RQ-170 Sentinel]] unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) [[Iran–U.S. RQ-170 incident|was captured]] by Iranian forces near the city of [[Kashmar]] in northeastern [[Iran]].

In 2012, it was announced that Iran's [[Quds Force]] is operating inside Syria providing the government of Bashar al-Assad with intelligence and direction against rebel opposition.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9072798/Syria-Irans-elite-Quds-force-advising-Assad-regime.html|title=Syria: Iran's elite Quds force 'advising Assad regime'|first=Alex|last=Spillius|date=9 February 2012|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=2018-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412154040/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9072798/Syria-Irans-elite-Quds-force-advising-Assad-regime.html|archive-date=2018-04-12|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2012, Iran stated it had captured an American [[Boeing Insitu ScanEagle|ScanEagle]] UAV that violated its airspace over the Persian Gulf. Iran later stated it had also captured two other ScanEagles.

In November 2015, Iranian special forces assisted in the [[2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown#Search and rescue|rescue of a Russian pilot that was shot down]] by Turkey, over Syria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/pilot-russian-jet-downed-turkey-6906704|title=Pilot of Russian jet downed by Turkey was 'rescued by elite Iranian squad'|first=Sam|last=Webb|website=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=26 November 2015|access-date=2018-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410202150/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/pilot-russian-jet-downed-turkey-6906704|archive-date=2018-04-10|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2016, Iran sent advisors from the [[65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade]] to Syria in support of the government.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/108495-160404-iran-sends-special-forces-to-syria-as-advisors-report|title=Iran sends special forces to Syria as 'advisors': report|newspaper=[[i24news]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815121101/http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/108495-160404-iran-sends-special-forces-to-syria-as-advisors-report|archive-date=2016-08-15|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, Revolutionary Guard forces [[2016 U.S.–Iran naval incident|captured US Navy personnel]] when their boats entered Iranian territorial waters off the coast of Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf. They were released the next day following diplomatic discussions between the US and Iran.

In March 2021 state TV in Iran showed footage of a "missile city" armed with ballistic and cruise weapons described as "a new Revolutionary Guard base" along the Gulf coast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/16/iran-reveals-underground-missile-city-as-regional-tensions-rise.html|website=CNBC|title=Iran reveals underground 'missile city' as regional tensions rise|date=16 March 2021}}</ref>

In March 2023, Iran began the process of allowing women to enlist in the military for the first time since the [[White Revolution]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bartarinha.ir/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-20/1291503-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B4-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86|website=Bartarinha|title=تصاویری متفاوت از زنان ارتشِ ایران|date=1 March 2023}}</ref>

==Commanders==
[[File:پیوستن ناوشکن جماران به ناوگان دریایی ارتش (12).jpg|thumb|200x200px|Ali Khamenei with IRIN commanders (at the time) during inauguration of Jamaran frigate]]
* Ayatollah [[Ali Khamenei]] (Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the [[Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces|Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic]], in {{langx|fa|فرمانده کل قوا|Farmāndeh-e Koll-e Qovā}})
* Minister of Defence Brigadier General [[Aziz Nasirzadeh]]
* Minister of Interior Brigadier General [[Eskandar Momeni]] 
* Commander of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Major General [[Abdolrahim Mousavi]]
* Deputy commander of General Staff of the Armed Forces Brigadier General [[Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani]] 
* Senior Military Advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Major General [[Yahya Rahim Safavi]]
* [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army]]
** Commander-in-Chief of the Army Major General [[Amir Hatami]] 
** Deputy Commander in Chief of the Army Brigadier General [[Mohammad-Hossein Dadras]] 
** Chief of the Army Joint Headquarters Rear admiral [[Habibollah Sayyari]] 
** Commander of the Army Ground Forces Brigadier General [[Kioumars Heydari]]
** Commander of the Air Force Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi
** Commander of Air Defense Force Brigadier General [[Alireza Sabahifard]]
** Commander of the Navy Rear admiral [[Shahram Irani]] 
* [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|IRGC]]
** Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC [[Mohammad Pakpour]]
** Deputy Commander of the IRGC Rear admiral [[Ali Fadavi]] 
** Chief of the IRGC Joint Headquarters Brigadier General [[Mohammad Reza Naqdi]] 
** Commander of IRGC Ground Force Brigadier General [[Mohammad Karami]]
** Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General [[Majid Mousavi]] 
** Commander of IRGC Navy Rear admiral [[Alireza Tangsiri]] <ref name=mehrnews>{{cite news|url=http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1075876/ |work=Mehrnews |title=Appointment of Ali Fadavi as commander of IRGC Navy}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
** Commander of [[Quds Force]] Brigadier General [[Esmail Qaani]] 
** Commander of the [[Basij]] Resistance Force Brigadier General [[Gholamreza Soleimani]] 
* [[Law Enforcement Forces of Islamic Republic of Iran|Law Enforcement Force]]
** Commander-in-Chief of the General Command of the Law Enforcement Brigadier General [[Ahmad-Reza Radan]]

==Structure==
[[File:Joint morning call of Iranian Armed Forces in 2019 (10).jpg|thumb|270px|A 2019 joint morning call of Iranian Armed Forces]]
{{Tree list}}
* [[Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran|Military Office of the Supreme Leader]]
** {{Tree list/final branch}} [[File:Seal of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.svg|25px]] [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran|General Staff of the Armed Forces]]
*** [[File:Seal of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution.svg|25px]] [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (''Sepah'')
**** [[Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Ground Force]]
**** [[Basij]]
**** [[Quds Force]]
**** [[Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Aerospace Force]]
**** {{Tree list/final branch}} [[Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Navy]]
*** [[File:Seal of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.svg|25px]] [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army]] (''Artesh'')
**** [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces|Ground Force]]
**** [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force|Air Defense]]
**** [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|Air Force]]
**** {{Tree list/final branch}} [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy|Navy]]
*** {{Tree list/final branch}} [[File:NAJA.svg|20px]] [[General Command of the Law Enforcement of Islamic Republic of Iran|General Command of the Law Enforcement]] (Police)
{{Tree list/end}}

* The Iranian regular military, or [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army]], consists of the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces]], the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy]],<ref name=globalbearings>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120203193602/http://www.globalbearings.net/2011/12/view-irgc-naval-bases-in-larger-map.html "The Consequences of a Strike on Iran: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy"] ''Global Bearings'', 15 December 2011.</ref> the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]], and the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force]]. The regular armed forces have an estimated 420,000 personnel: the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces]] with 350,000, of which 220,000 are conscripts; the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy]] with 18,000, and the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]] with 37,000 [[aircraftman|airmen]].<ref name="IISS1">{{cite book| url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2023| title=The Military Balance 2023| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| date=15 February 2023| publisher=[[Routledge]]| location=London| pages= 324–328| isbn=9781032508955}}</ref> The [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force]] is a branch split off from the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|IRIAF]], and has 15,000 personnel.<ref name="IISS1" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=8711271164/ |work=Farsnews |title=Air Defense Unit Added to Iran's Armed Forces |date=February 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601051006/http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=8711271164%2F |archive-date=June 1, 2012}}</ref>
* The [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]], or Revolutionary Guards, has an estimated 190,000 personnel in five branches: Its own [[Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Navy]],<ref name=globalbearings /> [[Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Aerospace Force]], and [[Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Ground Forces]]; and the [[Quds Force]] ([[special forces]]).<ref name="IISS1" />
** The [[Basij]] is a paramilitary volunteer force controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards. Its membership is a matter of controversy. Iranian sources claim a membership of 12.6 million, including women, of which perhaps 600,000 are combat capable.<ref name="IISS1" /> There are a claimed 2,500 battalions of which some are composed of full-time personnel.<ref name="IISS1" />

===Cyberwarfare===
{{Main|Cyberwarfare in Iran}}
It has been reported that Iran is one of the five countries that has a cyber-army capable of conducting cyber-warfare operations. It has also been reported that Iran has immensely increased its [[cyberwarfare]] capability since the post presidential election un-rest.<ref name=Leyne>{{cite news|last=Leyne|first=Jon|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8505645.stm|title=How Iran's political battle is fought in cyberspace|publisher=BBC News|date=2010-02-11|access-date=2010-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214115913/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8505645.stm|archive-date=2010-02-14|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=payvand>{{cite web|url=http://payvand.com/news/09/may/1020.html|title=Iran among 5 states with cyber warfare capabilities: US institute|publisher=Payvand.com|date=2006-11-22|access-date=2010-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806063758/http://www.payvand.com/news/09/may/1020.html|archive-date=2009-08-06|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=channel4>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/whoaposs+winning+iranaposs+cyberwar/3214857|title=Who's winning Iran's cyber-war?|publisher=Channel 4 News|date=2009-06-16|access-date=2010-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230152441/http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/whoaposs+winning+iranaposs+cyberwar/3214857|archive-date=2009-12-30|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=bbc100130>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/2010/01/100130_u02-radiozamaneh-hackers.shtml|title=BBC فارسی – ايران – سایت رادیو زمانه هک شد|publisher=BBC News|date=30 January 2010|access-date=2010-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202075150/http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/2010/01/100130_u02-radiozamaneh-hackers.shtml|archive-date=2010-02-02|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Marwaha>{{cite news|author=Alka Marwaha|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8114444.stm|title=What rules apply in cyber-wars?|publisher=BBC News|date=2009-06-24|access-date=2010-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627095751/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8114444.stm|archive-date=2009-06-27|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, China accused the United States of having initiated a cyber war against Iran through websites such as [[Twitter]] and [[YouTube]] in addition to employing a hacker brigade for the purpose of fomenting unrest in Iran.<ref name="Tisdall">{{cite news |author=Simon Tisdall |date=2010-02-03 |title=Cyber-warfare 'is growing threat' |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/feb/03/cyber-warfare-growing-threat |url-status=live |access-date=2010-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909122910/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/feb/03/cyber-warfare-growing-threat |archive-date=2013-09-09}}</ref><ref name="washingtontimes">{{cite web |date=2010-01-26 |title=Beijing accuses U.S. of cyberwarfare |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jan/26/beijing-accuses-us-of-cyberwarfare/?feat=home_headlines |access-date=2010-02-13 |work=Washington Times}}</ref> 

In early 2010, two new garrisons for cyberwarfare were established at [[Zanjan (city)|Zanjan]] and [[Isfahan]].<ref name="isfahan">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/2010/02/100222_l07_isfahansoftwarcamp_isfahan.shtml BBC فارسی - ايران - قرارگاه های 'جنگ نرم' در اصفهان و زنجان راه اندازی شد] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617203748/http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/2010/02/100222_l07_isfahansoftwarcamp_isfahan.shtml|date=2012-06-17}}. Bbc.co.uk (1970-01-01). Retrieved 2014-06-09.</ref> As of 2024, Iran's cyber activities have become more sophisticated, engaging in a persistent cyber struggle with Israel that focuses on espionage, information warfare, and attempts to target critical infrastructure, although Israel maintains a technological edge.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Iran's electronic confrontation with Israel |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/08/15/irans-electronic-confrontation-with-israel |access-date=2024-08-18 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

==Budget==
{{Main|Military budget of Iran}}

Iran's 2021 defense budget was estimated to be $25.0 billion by [[International Institute for Strategic Studies|IISS]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1296940601 |title=The military balance. 2022 |date=2022 |others=James Hackett, International Institute for Strategic Studies |isbn=978-1-000-61972-0 |location=Abingdon, Oxon |oclc=1296940601}}</ref>
{{Image frame 
 | caption= Iranian 21st century military spending in $ billion, constant prices of 2019 (via [https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/SIPRI-Milex-data-1949-2020_0.xlsx SIPRI Military Expenditure Database])|align=center
 | content = 
{{Graph:Chart
| width = 550
| height = 200
| interpolate= monotone 
| yAxisTitle = Spending
| xAxisTitle = Year
| x = 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
| hannotatonsline =
| hannotatonslabel =
| xGrid =
| yAxisMin = 0
| yAxisMax = 
| xAxisMax = 
| yAxisFormat = 
| legend=Expenditure 
| y1Title=
| y1 = 7.509,	8.359,	8.998, 10.502,	13.571,	16.138,	19.323,	17.769,	17.095,	17.886,	18.200,	15.708,	16.354,	13.170,	13.131,	13.962,	16.028,	18.034,	15.257,	12.528,	12.151
|colors=blue
}}
}}

==Defense industry==
{{Main|Defense industry of Iran|List of military equipment manufactured in Iran}}

[[File:Five Iranian Air Force F-14A Tomcats in flight.jpg|right|thumb|A [[Formation flying|formation flight]] of Iranian [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14 Tomcats]], in 2008]]
[[File:Iranian Kilo-class diesel submarine.jpg|right|thumb|Iran has three Russian-built [[Kilo-class submarine]]s patrolling the [[Persian Gulf]].]]
[[File:Fateh-110 missiles and launchers.jpg|thumb|right|[[Fateh-110]] is a solid-fuel, guided ballistic missile]]
[[File:Shahed 129 (4).jpg|thumb|The [[Shahed 129]] drone is widely considered to be one of the most capable Iranian drones in service]]Under the last [[Pahlavi dynasty|Shah of Iran]], [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]], Iran's military industry was limited to assembly of foreign weapons. In the assembly lines that were put up by American firms, such as [[Bell Helicopter Textron|Bell]], [[Litton Industries|Litton]] and [[Northrop Corporation|Northrop]], Iranian workers put together a variety of helicopters, aircraft, guided missiles, electronic components and tanks.<ref name="OC">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060623144907/http://english.daralhayat.com/opinion/commentators/06-2006/Article-20060616-dcfab30e-c0a8-10ed-00c7-f1a5dbdb0907/story.html Dar Al Hayat]}}. Dar Al Hayat. Retrieved 2014-06-09.</ref>
In 1973, the [[Iran Electronics Industries (IEI)]] was established.<ref name=ieicorp>{{cite web|url=http://www.ieicorp.com/about.htm |title=A Brief Introduction |access-date=2008-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019052158/http://www.ieicorp.com/about.htm |archive-date=2007-10-19}}</ref> The company was set up in a first attempt to organize the assembly and repair of foreign-delivered weapons.<ref name="IMC">[http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Iran/Missile/1788_1789.html NTI: Country Overviews: Iran: Missile Chronology] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618194613/http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Iran/Missile/1788_1789.html |date=June 18, 2009}}</ref> The Iranian [[Defense Industries Organization]] was the first to succeed in taking a step into what could be called a military industry by reverse engineering [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[RPG-7]], [[BM-21 Grad|BM-21]], and [[SAM-7]] missiles in 1979.<ref name="IMC" />

Nevertheless, most of Iran's weapons before the [[Islamic revolution]] were imported from the United States and Europe. Between 1971 and 1975, the [[Shah]] went on a buying spree, ordering $8 billion in weapons from the United States alone. This alarmed the [[United States Congress]], which strengthened a 1968 law on arms exports in 1976 and renamed it the Arms Export Control Act. Still, the United States continued to sell large amounts of weapons to Iran until the 1979 [[Islamic Revolution]].<ref name=cdi736>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdi.org/adm/736/transcript.html |title=A Code of Conduct for Weapons Sales |access-date=2012-02-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060308213420/http://www.cdi.org/adm/736/transcript.html |archive-date=2006-03-08}}. cdi.org. May 22, 1994</ref>
[[File:Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces Day exhibition in Isfahan (01).jpg|thumb|right| Armed Forces Day exhibition in Isfahan]]

After the Islamic revolution, Iran found itself severely isolated and lacking technological expertise. Because of economic sanctions and a weapons embargo put on Iran by the United States, it was forced to rely on its domestic arms industry for weapons and spare parts, since there were very few countries willing to
do business with Iran.<ref name=strategypage>[http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htproc/articles/20041103.aspx Procurement: '''November 3, 2004'''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310221346/http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htproc/articles/20041103.aspx |date=2007-03-10}}. Strategypage.com (2004-11-03). Retrieved 2014-06-09.</ref>

The [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards]] were put in charge of creating what is today known as the [[Iranian military industry]]. Under their command, Iran's military industry was enormously expanded, and with the [[Ministry of Defense (Iran)|Ministry of Defense]] pouring investment into the missile industry, Iran soon accumulated a [[Iran's missile forces|vast arsenal of missiles]].<ref name="OC" />
Since 1992, it has also produced its own [[tank]]s, [[armored personnel carriers]], [[radar system]]s, [[guided missiles]], [[marines]], military vessels and [[fighter planes]].<ref name=foxnews>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,156160,00.html Iran Launches Production of Stealth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208071646/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,156160,00.html |date=2011-02-08}}. FOXNews.com (2005-05-10). Retrieved 2014-06-09.</ref> Iran is also producing its own submarines.<ref name=submarine>{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/07/19/Iran-set-to-unveil-new-submarine-class/UPI-38201279563853/|work=UPI|title=Iran set to unveil new submarine class|date=July 19, 2010}}</ref>

In recent years, official announcements have highlighted the development of weapons such as the [[Fajr-3 (MIRV)]], [[Hoot (missile)|Hoot]], [[Kowsar]], [[Fateh-110]], [[Shahab-3]] missile systems and a variety of [[unmanned aerial vehicles]], at least one of which [[Israel]] claims has been used to spy on its territory.<ref name=bbc3990773>[[British Broadcasting Corporation]], [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3990773.stm Hezbollah drone flies over Israel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527050420/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3990773.stm |date=2006-05-27}}, 7 December 2004</ref>

On November 2, 2012, Iran's Brigadier General Hassan Seifi reported that the Iranian Army had achieved self-suffiency in producing military equipment, and that the abilities of Iranian scientists have enabled the country to make significant progress in this field. He was quoted saying, "Unlike Western countries which hide their new weapons and munitions from all, the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army is not afraid of displaying its latest military achievements and all countries must become aware of Iran's progress in producing weaponry."<ref>[http://www.armyrecognition.com/november_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/iran_reported_that_irans_army_has_achieved_self-sufficiency_in_producing_military_equipment_0511123.html Iran reports that Iran's Army has achieved self-suffiency in producing military equipment] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108034357/http://www.armyrecognition.com/november_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/iran_reported_that_irans_army_has_achieved_self-sufficiency_in_producing_military_equipment_0511123.html |date=November 8, 2012}} – Armyrecognition.com, November 5, 2012</ref>

===UAV program===
Iran has produced several [[List of military equipment manufactured in Iran#Defense production|unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)]], which can be used for reconnaissance and combat operations. Iran has also  claimed to have downed, [[Iran–U.S. RQ-170 incident|captured]] and later reverse-engineered US and Israeli drones. Iranian drones have seen extensive combat during the [[Syrian civil war|Syrian Civil War]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=agencies|first=The New Arab &|title=Iran admits to conducting 700 drone attacks in Syria|url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/10/16/iran-admits-to-conducting-700-drone-attacks-in-syria|access-date=2021-04-12|website=alaraby|date=16 October 2018|language=en}}</ref> as well as by the [[Houthi movement]] during the [[Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)|Yemeni Civil War]], mostly against Saudi targets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen ramp up drone, missile attacks on Saudis|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/iranian-backed-houthi-rebels-yemen-ramp-drone-missile-attacks-saudi-n1260488|access-date=2021-04-12|website=NBC News|date=12 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Some time after the beginning of [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022]], the U.S. reported that Iran was supplying Russia with military drones.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Russian officials visited Iran to view drones, says U.S. official |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/russian-officials-visited-iran-view-drones-says-us-official-2022-07-16/ |access-date=2022-08-18}}</ref> Iran later confirmed the reports, though it denied the drones were meant to be used in the Ukraine war, and added that China was on the list of countries looking to import Iranian drones.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-05 |title=Iran says it shipped drones to Russia before Ukraine war |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-acknowledges-drone-shipments-russia-before-ukraine-war-2022-11-05/ |access-date=2023-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran intel official says China in line to buy Tehran's drones – Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/02/iran-intel-official-says-china-line-buy-tehrans-drones |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=www.al-monitor.com |date=9 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

===Ballistic missile program===
{{Main|Iran's missile forces}}
[[File:Great Prophet II (84).jpg|thumb|265px|The "Great Prophet II" [[Shahab-3]] test,<br />2 November 2006.]]
[[File:Holy Defense Museum in Tehran (005).jpg|thumb|right|Ballistic missiles in Holy Defense Museum in [[Tehran]]]]
On November 2, 2006, Iran fired unarmed missiles to begin 10 days of [[military simulation]]s. Iranian state television reported "dozens of missiles were fired including [[Shahab-2]] and [[Shahab-3]] missiles. The missiles had ranges from 300 km to up to 2,000 km. Iranian experts have made some changes to Shahab-3 missiles installing cluster [[warhead]]s in them with the capacity to carry 1,400 bombs." These launches came after some United States-led military exercises in the [[Persian Gulf]] on October 30, 2006, meant to train for blocking the transport of [[weapons of mass destruction]].<ref name=manoeuvres>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/02/iran.manoeuvres.reut/index.html |title=Iran fires unarmed missiles |website=[[CNN]] |access-date=2014-02-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107195050/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/02/iran.manoeuvres.reut/index.html |archive-date=2006-11-07}}</ref>

Iran is also believed to have started the development of an ICBM/IRBM missile project, known as [[Ghadr-110]] with a range of 3000&nbsp;km; the program is believed to be a parallel of the advancement of a satellite launcher named [[Shahab-4|IRIS]]. Iran also dedicated [[Iranian underground missile bases|underground ballistic missile bases and silos]]. Older generation platforms, like the [[Shahab-3|Shahab family]], are slowly being phased out of service and replaced by newer generation ballistic missiles that emphasise accuracy and manoeuvrability over longer range, such as the [[Fateh-110|Fateh]] and [[Sejjil]] families. By 2020, the U.S. military command in the Middle East had assessed that Iran's missile forces, by far the largest and most diverse in the Middle East, have already achieved overmatch against their adversaries in the region.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-02 |title=The Effects of Iran Drone & Missile Strikes |language=en-US |work=Tablet Magazine |url=https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/overmatch-iran-china-michael-doran-can-kasapoglu |access-date=2023-02-12}}</ref>

===Weapons of mass destruction===
{{Main|Iran and weapons of mass destruction|Science and technology in Iran}}

Iran started a major campaign to produce and stockpile chemical weapons after a truce was agreed with Iraq after 1980–88 [[Iran–Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/27/world/a-german-concern-sold-chemicals-to-iran-us-says.html?mcubz=3|title=A GERMAN CONCERN SOLD CHEMICALS TO IRAN, U.S. SAYS|first=Michael R. Gordon With Stephen Engelberg and Special To the New York|last=Times|access-date=2017-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819234234/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/27/world/a-german-concern-sold-chemicals-to-iran-us-says.html?mcubz=3|archive-date=2017-08-19|url-status=live|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1989-06-27}}</ref> However, Iran ratified the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]] in 1997. Iranian troops and civilians suffered tens of thousands of casualties from Iraqi [[chemical weapon]]s during the 1980–88 Iran–Iraq War.

Even as of twenty-four years after the end of the Iran–Iraq War, about 30,000 Iranians are still suffering and dying from the effects of chemical weapons employed by Iraq during the war. The need to manage the treatment of such a large number of casualties has placed Iran's medical specialists in the forefront of the development of effective treatment regimens for chemical weapons victims, and particularly for those suffering from exposure to [[Sulfur mustard|mustard gas]].<ref name=opcw>{{cite web|url=http://www.opcw.org/basic_facts/html/bf2k3_en_prt.html |title=Basic Facts on Chemical Disarmament |access-date=2008-06-09 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609122241/http://www.opcw.org/basic_facts/html/bf2k3_en_prt.html |archive-date=2008-06-09}}. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. opcw.org</ref>

Iran ratified the [[Biological Weapons Convention]] in 1973.<ref name=opbw>[http://www.opbw.org/convention/status.html Signatories of the Biological Weapons Convention] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224193607/http://www.opbw.org/convention/status.html |date=2008-02-24}}. Opbw.org. Retrieved 2014-06-09.</ref> Iran has advanced biological and [[genetic engineering]] research programs supporting an industry that produces [[vaccine]]s for both domestic use and export.<ref name="vacc">{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/00/oct/1067.html|title=Razi Institute produces dlrs 100 m worth of vaccines, serums a year|access-date=2006-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060419050344/http://www.payvand.com/news/00/oct/1067.html|archive-date=19 April 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Military aid==
{{See also| Foreign relations of Iran}}
In 2013, Iran was reported to supply money, equipment, technological expertise and [[unmanned aerial vehicles]] (drones) to the Syrian government and Hezbollah during the [[Syrian civil war]], and to the Iraqi government and its state-sponsored organizations the [[Popular Mobilization Forces]], and [[Peshmerga]] during [[War on ISIL]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-iranian-technology-is-boosting-assads-assault-on-syrian-rebels/2013/06/01/aefad718-ca26-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Joby |last=Warrick |title=National Security |date=2013-06-02 |access-date=2017-08-24 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615212817/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-iranian-technology-is-boosting-assads-assault-on-syrian-rebels/2013/06/01/aefad718-ca26-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html |archive-date=2013-06-15 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Equipment ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Iranian Fighting Vehicles<ref name="OH">{{Cite web |last=Oryx |title=The Oryx Handbook Of Iranian Fighting Vehicles |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/01/the-oryx-handbook-of-iranian-fighting.html |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=Oryx}}</ref>
!Model
!Image
!Origin
!Quantity
!Notes
|-
! colspan="5" |Tanks 
|-
|[[T-54A tank|T-54A]]
|
| rowspan="2" |{{flagu|USSR}}
| rowspan="14" |Unknown
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[T-55A]]
|
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[Type 69 tank|Type 69]]
|
|{{flagu|China}}
|(Captured from [[Iraq]]).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[Safir-74]]
|
|{{IRN}}
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[Chonma-ho]]
|
|{{PRK}}
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[T-72|T-72M]]
|
| rowspan="2" |{{flagu|USSR}}
|(Captured from Iraq), (Some with an upgraded fire-control system).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[T-72|T-72M1]]
|
|(Some with an upgraded fire-control system).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[T-72S]]
|
|{{flagu|Russia}}
|(Some with electro-optical active protection system or slat armour).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[FV101 Scorpion|FV 101 Scorpion]]
|
| rowspan="2" |{{flagu|United Kingdom}}
|(Locally upgraded examples known as Tosan).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[FV4201 Chieftain]]
|
|(Locally upgraded examples known as Mobarez), (Some with a Russian V-84 engine).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[M47M]]
|
| rowspan="3" |{{flagu|United States}}
|(Some upgraded with an EO device and explosive reactive armour).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[M48A5]]
|
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[M60A1|M60A1 Patton]]
|
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[Karrar (tank)|Karrar]] 
|
|{{IRN}}
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
! colspan="5" |Armoured Fighting Vehicles
|-
|[[EE-9 Cascavel|EE-9]]
|
|{{flagu|Brazil}}
| rowspan="2" |Unknown
|(Captured from Iraq).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[Lynx reconnaissance vehicle|Lynx]]
|
|{{flagu|United States}}
|(Some armed with [[ZU-23-2|ZU-23s]]).<ref name="OH" />
|-
! colspan="5" |Infantry Fighting Vehicles
|-
|[[BMP-1]]
|
| rowspan="2" |{{flagu|USSR}}
| rowspan="3" |Unknown
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[BMP-2]]
|
|(Some upgraded to carry Dehlavieh ATGMs).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|BTR-82
|
|{{IRN}}
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
! colspan="5" |Armoured Personnel Carriers
|-
|[[BTR-50|BTR-50PK]]
|
| rowspan="2" |{{flagu|USSR}}
| rowspan="5" |Unknown
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[BTR-60|BTR-60PB]] 
|
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[M113 armored personnel carrier|M113]]
|
|{{flagu|United States}}
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[Boragh]]
|
| rowspan="2" |{{IRN}}
|(Can be armed with MRLs and ZU-23s).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|[[Rakhsh (armoured personnel carrier)|Rakhsh]] 
|
|(Can be armed with ZU-23s).<ref name="OH" />
|-
! colspan="5" |Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles
|-
|Toofan
|
| rowspan="3" |{{IRN}}
| rowspan="3" |Unknown
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|Ra'ad
|
| rowspan="2" |(Yet to enter mass production).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|Caracal
|
|-
! colspan="5" |Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV)
|-
|[[M1151]]
|
|{{flagu|United States}}
| rowspan="8" |Unknown
|(Taken over from [[Afghan National Army]] elements that escaped to Iran).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|YOZ 102
|
| rowspan="7" |{{IRN}}
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|Jasour
|
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|Fateq
|
|(Can be armed with RCLs).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|Roueintan
|
|(Yet to enter mass production).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|Early Rakhsh
|
|(Can be armed with ZU-23s).<ref name="OH" />
|-
|Late Rakhsh
|
|<ref name="OH" />
|-
|Kia 
|
|<ref name="OH" />
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Iran}}
* [[List of Iranian two-star generals since 1979]]
* [[List of military equipment manufactured in Iran]]
* [[Equipment of the Iranian Army]]
* [[Current Iranian Navy vessels]]
* [[List of Iranian Air Force aircraft]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==Further reading==
{{Commons category|Military of Iran}}
* {{cite book |last=IISS |title=The Military Balance 2020|year=2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0367466398}}
* {{in lang|fr}} Alain Rodier, {{cite web|url= http://www.defense-et-republique.org/1Fichiers/sec_ext/2007_01_02_menace_iranienne.pdf |title=''The Iranian Menace''}}, French Centre for Research on Intelligence, January 2007 – Order of Battle, strategy, asymmetric warfare, intelligence services, state terrorism. Includes detailed order of battle for both regular army and Revolutionary Guard
* Anthony H. Cordesman, Iran's Military Forces in Transition: Conventional Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction, [[Centre for Strategic and International Studies]], {{ISBN|0-275-96529-5}}
* 'Iranian exercise reveals flaws in air defences,' [[Jane's Defence Weekly]], 9 December 2009
* Kaveh Farrokh, Iran at War: 1500–1988, Osprey Hardcover, released May 24, 2011; {{ISBN|978-1-84603-491-6}}.<!--Navigation boxes-->
{{Iran Military}}
{{Military of Asia}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Of Iran}}
[[Category:Military of Iran]]
[[Category:Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran]]
[[Category:Organisations under the direct control of the supreme leader of Iran]]