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Iran's army

The Islamic Republic of Iran Army (Artesh) is the conventional military force of Iran, distinct from the IRGC. In July 2026, it transitioned to active kinetic operations against U.S. regional assets following large-scale American strikes on Iranian infrastructure.

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk

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The Islamic Republic of Iran Army, known as the Artesh, serves as the conventional branch of the Iranian Armed Forces. Historically tasked with protecting Iran's territorial integrity and borders, it operates alongside the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), though the two maintain separate command structures and roles. While the IRGC is often associated with asymmetric warfare and regional proxies, the Artesh maintains traditional ground, air, and naval divisions, including elite units like the 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade.

As of July 2026, the Artesh has moved into a state of direct confrontation with the United States. This shift followed the collapse of the 'Islamabad' memorandum and subsequent U.S. strikes that targeted strategic Iranian infrastructure, including bridges in southern Iran and the port of Chabahar. In response, the Iranian army has officially claimed responsibility for a series of drone and missile strikes across the Persian Gulf. These operations have utilized Arash-2 suicide drones—long-range loitering munitions—to target U.S. logistics hubs, assembly points, and defensive assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.

Specific claims from the Artesh include the targeting of a Patriot missile defense battery in Kuwait and fuel storage facilities in Bahrain. The army's rhetoric has intensified in tandem with these kinetic actions, with official statements labeling the U.S. leadership as "insane" and vowing to continue strikes until American forces withdraw or cease their campaign. For Israel and the broader region, the active involvement of the Artesh signifies a total mobilization of the Iranian state’s military apparatus beyond its paramilitary and proxy arms, increasing the risk of a sustained, high-intensity regional conflict.

04 · Related Coverage

Bulletins

Iranian report: 65th Division special forces conducted 11 ground ops in northern Iraq within past 24 hours

Full Reports

Iranian Army Claims Drone Strikes on Two US Bases in Kuwait; Sirens, Explosions Reported in Bahrain
The Iranian army announced on Sunday morning that it launched a swarm of suicide drones targeting two major U.S. military installations in Kuwait, while reports of sirens and ongoing explosions emerged from Bahrain. The strikes, which Tehran claims are part of the sixth phase of 'Operation Lightning,' targeted the Ali Al-Salem Air Base and the Al-Adiri camp. While the Iranian military claims to have destroyed an ammunition depot and damaged Patriot missile radar systems, these reports have not been independently verified by U.S. or international sources.
Iran strikes US bases in Kuwait with drones; sirens reported in Bahrain and Qatar
Iran's army announced Friday morning that it targeted U.S. military assembly points and logistics centers in Kuwait using Arash drones. The strikes follow a wave of overnight U.S. operations that reportedly disabled five bridges in southern Iran and caused damage to the strategic port of Chabahar.
Iranian Army Threatens Continued Strikes on US Assets, Labels President 'Insane'
The Iranian army claimed on Thursday morning that it launched a wave of suicide drones targeting U.S. military infrastructure across the Persian Gulf, including a Patriot missile defense system in Kuwait and fuel storage facilities in Bahrain. In an official statement, the Iranian military vowed to continue its campaign against American assets in the region, explicitly referring to the U.S. president as "insane."

Related Topics

US Central Command
US Central Command (CENTCOM) is the unified combatant command of the U.S. Department of Defense responsible for military operations in the Middle East. Since June 2026, it has transitioned from regional deterrence to a sustained kinetic campaign against the Iranian regime, including a naval blockade and precision strikes on strategic infrastructure.
Iranian Army 65th Division
The 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade (Nohed) is the primary elite special operations unit of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (Artesh), specialized in unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, and cross-border sabotage.
Chananel Aviv
Chananel Aviv is an Israeli military analyst and intelligence reporter recognized for his real-time coverage of regional security escalations, specifically concerning Iranian military operations and the shifting dynamics of the U.S.-Iran kinetic conflict.
Kuwait
Kuwait is a strategic Gulf nation and a key Western security partner. In July 2026, it became a central theater in the direct kinetic war between the United States and the Iranian regime, facing repeated missile and drone strikes targeting American military installations, oil infrastructure, and maritime assets.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is Iran's primary ideological military and political force, tasked with regime survival and regional expansion through its 'Ring of Fire' proxy strategy and direct kinetic operations.
U.S. Central Command
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is the unified combatant command of the U.S. Department of Defense responsible for the Middle East. In July 2026, it transitioned to a high-intensity kinetic posture, conducting nightly airstrikes against the Iranian regime and its proxies following attacks on U.S. forces in Jordan.

Full Reports

Iranian Army Claims Drone Strikes on Two US Bases in Kuwait; Sirens, Explosions Reported in Bahrain

The Iranian army announced on Sunday morning that it launched a swarm of suicide drones targeting two major U.S. military installations in Kuwait, while reports of sirens and ongoing explosions emerged from Bahrain. The strikes, which Tehran claims are part of the sixth phase of 'Operation Lightning,' targeted the Ali Al-Salem Air Base and the Al-Adiri camp. While the Iranian military claims to have destroyed an ammunition depot and damaged Patriot missile radar systems, these reports have not been independently verified by U.S. or international sources.

Iran strikes US bases in Kuwait with drones; sirens reported in Bahrain and Qatar

Iran's army announced Friday morning that it targeted U.S. military assembly points and logistics centers in Kuwait using Arash drones. The strikes follow a wave of overnight U.S. operations that reportedly disabled five bridges in southern Iran and caused damage to the strategic port of Chabahar.

Iranian Army Threatens Continued Strikes on US Assets, Labels President 'Insane'

The Iranian army claimed on Thursday morning that it launched a wave of suicide drones targeting U.S. military infrastructure across the Persian Gulf, including a Patriot missile defense system in Kuwait and fuel storage facilities in Bahrain. In an official statement, the Iranian military vowed to continue its campaign against American assets in the region, explicitly referring to the U.S. president as "insane."