Iranian Army (Artesh)
The Artesh is the conventional military of the Islamic Republic of Iran, tasked with territorial defense and border security, operating alongside but distinct from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The Iranian Army, known as the Artesh, represents the traditional state military of Iran. Unlike the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is primarily tasked with protecting the Islamic system and exporting the revolution, the Artesh is constitutionally mandated to defend Iran's territorial integrity and national independence. It consists of four main branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense Force. Historically, the Artesh has often been viewed as the more professional and less ideological counterpart to the IRGC, though the two are increasingly integrated under unified command structures like the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
In recent years, the Artesh has shifted from a purely defensive posture to active participation in Iran's regional power projection. This evolution is most visible in its growing reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missile technology. Recent claims by the Artesh regarding long-range drone strikes against U.S. assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan signal an attempt to demonstrate operational parity with the IRGC's expeditionary capabilities. These developments suggest that the Artesh is being utilized to broaden the scope of Iranian military pressure in the Middle East, moving beyond its traditional role of border protection. For Israel and regional security, the modernization of the Artesh—particularly its drone and air defense capabilities—represents a diversifying threat landscape where conventional and paramilitary forces operate in tandem under the direction of the Supreme Leader.