Iranian Armed Forces
The Iranian Armed Forces comprise the unified military strength of the Islamic Republic, including the conventional military (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Under the leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei, the forces have undergone a major structural merger and transitioned to a state of direct kinetic confrontation with U.S. and regional forces.
The Iranian Armed Forces represent a dual-military structure unique to the Islamic Republic, designed to ensure both national defense and regime survival. The primary components are the Artesh (the conventional military) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While the Artesh is constitutionally tasked with defending Iran's territorial integrity, the IRGC is mandated to protect the Islamic Revolution itself, often operating as a more ideologically driven and technologically advanced force. Coordination between these branches was historically managed by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
In August 2026, following the death of Ali Khamenei and the ascension of Mojtaba Khamenei, the military hierarchy underwent a pivotal restructuring. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters was fully merged into the General Staff of the Armed Forces, centralizing operational command. This consolidation coincided with the appointment of IRGC General Ali Abdollahi as Chief of the General Staff, replacing Abd-Rahim Mousavi. This move effectively dissolved the separate operational identity of the supreme coordination body, streamlining command and control under a unified, IRGC-aligned leadership.
Since July 2026, the Iranian military doctrine has shifted from reliance on regional proxies to active, direct intervention. Following the termination of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, the Iranian military transitioned to its highest level of alert. This escalation has been marked by direct kinetic engagements, including ballistic missile barrages targeting U.S. command centers and the Al-Azraq air base in Jordan. Simultaneously, the Iranian Navy and IRGC naval forces have maintained a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, demanding that all vessels follow routes designated by the armed forces. Despite sustaining significant damage to maritime infrastructure in Bandar Abbas and strategic islands like Abu Musa during U.S. retaliatory strikes, the Iranian command continues to project a posture of defiance, threatening further strikes on American bases in the Gulf.