Iran's Military Capabilities
IRGC and Asymmetric Warfare Doctrine
Iran's military strategy is built on asymmetric deterrence — compensating for conventional military inferiority relative to the US through proxy networks, ballistic missiles, drones, and naval harassment. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is the primary instrument of this strategy. Established after the 1979 revolution as a parallel force to the regular army (Artesh), the IRGC commands the Quds Force (external operations, proxy network coordination), the IRGC Navy (Persian Gulf operations, Strait of Hormuz), and the IRGC Aerospace Force (ballistic missiles, drones). Iran's "Axis of Resistance" — Hezbollah (Lebanon), Hamas (Gaza), Houthis (Yemen), Popular Mobilization Forces (Iraq) — allows Iran to fight adversaries across multiple theatres without direct engagement.
- IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps): Founded 1979; parallel to regular Artesh (army); reports to Supreme Leader
- IRGC Quds Force: External operations; coordinates Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, PMF proxies
- IRGC Aerospace Force: Ballistic missiles (Shahab, Sejjil series); drones (Shahed series)
- IRGC Navy: Fast attack boats; mines; anti-ship missiles; Strait of Hormuz harassment
- Axis of Resistance: Hezbollah (Lebanon), Hamas (Gaza), Houthis (Yemen), PMF (Iraq)
- Iran's ballistic missile arsenal: >3,000 missiles (est.); ranges covering Israel, Saudi Arabia, US Gulf bases
- Drone exports: Shahed-136 drones supplied to Russia for Ukraine war; widely documented
● Tracked since February 28, 2026 · last seen April 04, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes