Iran's Military Doctrine
Asymmetric Warfare and Drone/Missile Capabilities
Iran has developed one of the most capable drone and ballistic missile arsenals in the Middle East, a deliberate strategic choice to offset its conventional military disadvantage against technologically superior adversaries. Iran's "axis of resistance" doctrine involves the use of proxies (Hezbollah, Houthis, Iraqi militias) and direct missile/drone strikes to raise the cost of adversarial military action.
- Iran's Shahed-series drones have been used extensively in regional conflicts, including Ukraine (supplied to Russia) and strikes in the Gulf.
- Iran demonstrated the ability to simultaneously target multiple Gulf states — UAE, Qatar, Bahrain — with coordinated drone-missile salvos.
- The 2024 April direct Iran-Israel exchange (300+ drones and missiles) was a precursor to the more intense 2026 escalation.
- Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which ~20 million barrels of oil pass daily.
● Tracked since March 02, 2026 · last seen April 08, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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