Editing Iran (section)

=== Military ===
{{Main|Military history of Iran|Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces}}

[[File:Sejjil missile launch - November 2008 (21).jpg|thumb|upright=.7|[[Medium-range ballistic missile|MRBM]] [[Sejjil]]. Iran is the world's 6th [[Ballistic missile|missile power]], and the 5th country in the world with [[Hypersonic missile|hypersonic missile technology]]]]

The military is organised under a unified structure, the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces]], comprising the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army]], which includes the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces|Ground Forces]], [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force|Air Defence Force]], [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|Air Force]], and [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy|Navy]]; the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]], which consists of the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces|Ground Forces]], [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force|Aerospace Force]], [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy|Navy]], [[Quds Force]], and [[Basij]]; and the [[Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Police Command]] (Faraja), which serves an analogous function to a [[Gendarmerie|gendarme]]. While the IRIAF protects the country's sovereignty in a traditional capacity, the IRGC is mandated to ensure the integrity of the Republic against foreign interference, coups, and internal riots.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7064353.stm "Profile: Iran's Revolutionary Guards"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227172931/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7064353.stm|date=27 December 2008}}. BBC News. 18 October 2009.</ref> [[Conscription in Iran|Since 1925]], all male citizens aged 18 must serve around 14 months in the IRIAF or IRGC.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2024 |title=اخبار سیاسی ۲۶ اسفند؛ کمک رهبرانقلاب به زندانیان نیازمند/تایید کاهش مدت سربازی |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/1402122618464/اخبار-سیاسی-۲۶-اسفند-کمک-رهبرانقلاب-به-زندانیان-نیازمند-تایید |access-date=16 March 2024 |website=ایسنا |language=fa |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316122351/https://www.isna.ir/news/1402122618464/اخبار-سیاسی-۲۶-اسفند-کمک-رهبرانقلاب-به-زندانیان-نیازمند-تایید |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=روزبهی |first=محدثه |date=16 March 2024 |title=تایید مصوبه کاهش مدت سربازی در شورای نگهبان |url=https://www.ekhtebar.ir/تایید-مصوبه-کاهش-مدت-سربازی-در-شورای-نگ/ |access-date=16 March 2024 |website=پایگاه خبری اختبار |language=fa-IR |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316171553/https://www.ekhtebar.ir/تایید-مصوبه-کاهش-مدت-سربازی-در-شورای-نگ/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Iran has over 610,000 active troops and around 350,000 reservists, totalling over 1 million military personnel, one of the world's highest [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|percentage of citizens with military training]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Murtaza |title=Why war with Iran would spell disaster |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2012/9/12/why-war-with-iran-would-spell-disaster |access-date=15 March 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229012940/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2012/9/12/why-war-with-iran-would-spell-disaster |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Seth G. |chapter=Regular Military Power |pages=19–27 |jstor=resrep29480.7 |jstor-access=free |title=Containing Tehran: Understanding Iran's Power and Exploiting Its Vulnerabilities |journal=Containing Tehran |date=2020 |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies |isbn=978-1-4422-8149-3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 February 2024 |title=The Largest Armies in the World |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/society/the-largest-armies-in-the-world.html |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318122543/https://www.worldatlas.com/society/the-largest-armies-in-the-world.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaskanis |first=Angelos |date=2 December 2023 |title=Iran's Military Capabilities: Exploring the Power of the |url=https://brusselsmorning.com/irans-military-capabilities/36049/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=en-GB |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318122543/https://brusselsmorning.com/irans-military-capabilities/36049/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Basij'','' a [[paramilitary]] volunteer militia within the IRGC, has over 20 million members, 600,000 available for immediate call-up, 300,000 reservists, and a million that could be mobilised when necessary.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aryan |first=Hossein |date=5 February 2009 |title=Pillar Of The State |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/Irans_Basij_Force_Mainstay_Of_Domestic_Security/1357081.html |access-date=15 March 2024 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923021108/http://www.rferl.org/content/Irans_Basij_Force_Mainstay_Of_Domestic_Security/1357081.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ارتش بیست میلیونی |url=http://www.imam-khomeini.ir/fa/n151194/ارتش_بیست_میلیونی |access-date=15 March 2024 |website=www.imam-khomeini.ir |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315102527/http://www.imam-khomeini.ir/fa/n151194/ارتش_بیست_میلیونی |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 April 2024 |title=Iran's Revolutionary Guards: Powerful group with wide regional reach |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/world/irans-revolutionary-guards-powerful-group-with-wide-regional-reach-2878423 |website=DH |access-date=15 March 2024 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315102530/https://www.deccanherald.com/world/irans-revolutionary-guards-powerful-group-with-wide-regional-reach-2878423 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2024 |title=Iran's Basij Force – The Mainstay Of Domestic Security |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/Irans_Basij_Force_Mainstay_Of_Domestic_Security/1357081.html |website=Radio Free Europe |access-date=15 March 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923021108/http://www.rferl.org/content/Irans_Basij_Force_Mainstay_Of_Domestic_Security/1357081.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Faraja, the Iranian uniformed [[police force]], has over 260,000 active personnel. Most statistical organizations do not include the Basij and Faraja in their rating reports.

Excluding the Basij and Faraja, Iran has been identified as a major military power due to its armed forces' size and capabilities. It possesses the world's 14th-strongest military.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Iran Military Strength |url=https://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.php?country_id=iran |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=globalfirepower.com |language=en-US}}</ref> It ranks 13th globally in terms of overall military strength, 7th in the number of active military personnel,<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Spirlet |first=Sinéad Baker, Thibault |title=The world's most powerful militaries in 2023, ranked |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ranked-world-most-powerful-militaries-2023-firepower-us-china-russia-2023-5 |access-date=28 December 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224124226/https://www.businessinsider.com/ranked-world-most-powerful-militaries-2023-firepower-us-china-russia-2023-5 |url-status=live}}</ref> and 9th in the size of both its ground force and armoured force. Iran's armed forces are the largest in [[West Asia]] and comprise the greatest [[Army Aviation]] fleet in the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Ghorbani: Iran helicopter fleet, strongest in Middle East |url=http://iranpress.com/aliaspage/7560 |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=iranpress.com |language=en |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224125731/https://iranpress.com/aliaspage/7560 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 August 2021 |title=سازمان صنایع دریایی – پایگاه اطلاعات دریایی ایران |url=http://www.imarine.ir/marine-industries-organization/ |access-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813214257/http://www.imarine.ir/marine-industries-organization/ |archive-date=13 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran – Army Navy Air Force {{!}} budget, equipment, personnel |url=https://armedforces.eu/Iran |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=ArmedForces |language=en |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203224400/https://armedforces.eu/Iran |url-status=live}}</ref> Iran is among the top 15 countries in terms of military budget.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2022 |title=Iran Boosts Military Budget To Stand Among Top 15 |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202204261827 |access-date=10 December 2023 |website=Iran International |archive-date=10 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210121648/https://www.iranintl.com/en/202204261827 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, its military spending increased for the first time in four years, to $24.6 billion, 2.3% of the national GDP.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2023 |title=Iran Military Spending=Defense Budget 1960–2023 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/IRN/iran/military-spending-defense-budget |access-date=10 December 2023 |website=Macrotrends |archive-date=10 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210121648/https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/IRN/iran/military-spending-defense-budget |url-status=live}}</ref> Funding for the IRGC accounted for 34% of Iran's total military spending in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 April 2022 |title=World military expenditure passes $2 trillion for first time |url=https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2022/world-military-expenditure-passes-2-trillion-first-time |access-date=10 December 2023 |website=Sipri |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209052355/https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2022/world-military-expenditure-passes-2-trillion-first-time |url-status=live}}</ref>

Since the Revolution, to overcome foreign embargoes, Iran has developed a domestic military industry capable of producing indigenous [[tank]]s, [[armoured personnel carrier]]s, [[missile]]s, [[submarine]]s, [[Iranian frigate Jamaran|missile destroyer]], [[radar]] systems, [[helicopter]]s, [[Navy|naval vessels]], and [[fighter aircraft|fighter planes]].<ref name="AskariMohseni2010">{{cite book |author1=Hossein Askari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GxdtLyJZxDUC&pg=PA93 |title=The Militarization of the Persian Gulf: An Economic Analysis |author2=Amin Mohseni |author3=Shahrzad Daneshvar |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-84980-186-7 |page=93}}</ref> Official announcements have highlighted the development of advanced weaponry, particularly in rocketry.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Iran tests new long-range missile |work=BBC |date=12 November 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7725951.stm |access-date=12 November 2008 |archive-date=14 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614195959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7725951.stm |url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Examples include the [[Hoot (torpedo)|Hoot]], [[Kowsar]], [[Zelzal]], [[Fateh-110]], [[Shahab-3]], [[Sejjil]], [[Fattah-1 (missile)|Fattah]], [[Khorramshahr (missile)|Khorramahahr]], [[Kheibar Shekan]], [[Emad (missile)|Emad]], [[Ghadr-110]], [[Hormuz-1 (missile)|Hormuz-1]], [[Dezful (missile)|Dezful]], [[Qiam 1]], [[Ashoura (missile)|Ashoura]], [[Fajr-3 (missile)|Fajr-3]], [[Haj Qasem (missile)|Haj Qasem]], [[Persian Gulf (missile)|Persian Gulf]], [[Raad-500 (missile)|Raad-500]], [[Zolfaghar (missile)|Zolfaghar]], [[Hoveyzeh (cruise missile)|Hoveyzeh]], [[Soumar (missile)|Soumar]], [[Fakour-90]], [[Paveh cruise missile|Paveh]], [[Rezvan missile|Rezvan]], [[Samen (missile)|Samen]], [[Tondar-69]].{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}}} Consequently, Iran has the largest and most diverse [[ballistic missile]] arsenal in the Middle East and is only the 5th country in the world with [[Hypersonic missile|hypersonic missile technology]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Motamedi |first=Maziar |date=6 June 2023 |title=Fattah: Iran unveils its first hypersonic missile |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/6/fattah-iran-unveils-its-first-hypersonic-missile |website=Aljazeera |access-date=6 December 2023 |archive-date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606223808/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/6/fattah-iran-unveils-its-first-hypersonic-missile |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31984423 "Are the Iran nuclear talks heading for a deal?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617121201/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31984423 |date=17 June 2018 }}. [[BBC News Online]]. Retrieved: 4 August 2016.</ref> It is the world's 6th missile power.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2013 |title=Ex-official: Iran is world's 6th missile power |url=https://apnews.com/article/6c529bfa076b43c290f46d2f79c284a8 |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=AP News |language=en-US |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314192652/https://apnews.com/article/6c529bfa076b43c290f46d2f79c284a8 |url-status=live}}</ref> Iran designs and produces a variety of [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAVs) and is considered a global leader and superpower in [[drone warfare|drone warfare and technology]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 December 2023 |title=Iran becoming global drone producer on back of Ukraine war, says US |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/14/us-says-iran-becoming-a-drone-leader-as-russia-uses-its-craft-in-ukraine |access-date=8 December 2023 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2024 |title=Iran is becoming a drone superpower |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/international/453437-iran-is-becoming-a-drone-superpower/ |website=The Hill |access-date=17 March 2024 |archive-date=23 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123134835/https://thehill.com/opinion/international/453437-iran-is-becoming-a-drone-superpower/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 April 2024 |title=Iran's Better, Stealthier Drones Are Remaking Global Warfare |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-08/iran-s-drone-tech-innovations-are-redefining-global-warfare |access-date=5 May 2024 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en |archive-date=10 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410042411/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-08/iran-s-drone-tech-innovations-are-redefining-global-warfare |url-status=live}}</ref> It is one of the world's five countries with [[cyberwarfare]] capabilities and is identified as "one of the most active players in the international cyber arena".<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2023 |title=رادیو زمانه هک شد |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2010/01/100130_u02-radiozamaneh-hackers |website=BBC |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220235325/https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2010/01/100130_u02-radiozamaneh-hackers |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2023 |title=How Iran's political battle is fought in cyberspace |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8505645.stm |website=BBC |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=14 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214115913/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8505645.stm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2023 |title=What rules apply in cyber-wars |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8114444.stm |website=BBC}}</ref> Iran is an key exporter of arms since 2000s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Iran's Revived Weapons Exports Could Boost Its Proxies |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/how-irans-revived-weapons-exports-could-boost-its-proxies |access-date=2021-03-27 |website=The Washington Institute |language=en |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614045833/https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/how-irans-revived-weapons-exports-could-boost-its-proxies |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following Russia's purchase of Iranian drones during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2023 |title=Inside the Russian effort to build 6,000 attack drones with Iran's help |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2023/08/17/russia-iran-drone-shahed-alabuga/ |access-date=11 January 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403184443/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2023/08/17/russia-iran-drone-shahed-alabuga/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nissenbaum |first1=Dion |last2=Strobel |first2=Warren P. |date=5 February 2023 |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} Moscow, Tehran Advance Plans for Iranian-Designed Drone Facility in Russia |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/moscow-tehran-advance-plans-for-iranian-designed-drone-facility-in-russia-11675609087 |access-date=11 January 2024 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529170949/https://www.wsj.com/articles/moscow-tehran-advance-plans-for-iranian-designed-drone-facility-in-russia-11675609087 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2023 |title=Russia aims to obtain more attack drones from Iran after depleting stockpile, White House says |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-military-cooperation-d982dd3faf78fbb17dfc8b9c1cb9dae7 |access-date=11 January 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217074921/https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-military-cooperation-d982dd3faf78fbb17dfc8b9c1cb9dae7 |url-status=live}}</ref> in November 2023, the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]] (IRIAF) finalized arrangements to acquire Russian [[Sukhoi Su-35]] fighter jets, [[Mil Mi-28]] attack helicopters, air defence and missile systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 January 2024 |title=Iran finalises deal buy russian fighter jets |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-finalises-deal-buy-russian-fighter-jets-tasnim-2023-11-28/ |website=Reuters |access-date=11 January 2024 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212140807/https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-finalises-deal-buy-russian-fighter-jets-tasnim-2023-11-28/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2023 |title=Iran Finalizes Deal to Buy Russian Fighter Jets – Tasnim |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-finalizes-deal-to-buy-russian-fighter-jets---tasnim-/7373046.html |access-date=11 January 2024 |website=Voice of America |language=en |archive-date=11 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111105438/https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-finalizes-deal-to-buy-russian-fighter-jets---tasnim-/7373046.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy|Iranian Navy]] has had joint exercises with [[Russia]] and [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2023 |title=China, Russia, Iran hold joint naval drills in Gulf of Oman |url=https://apnews.com/article/china-russia-iran-naval-drills-oman-gulf-9f515b3246e4cbe0d98a35e8399dc177 |access-date=14 January 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102234018/https://apnews.com/article/china-russia-iran-naval-drills-oman-gulf-9f515b3246e4cbe0d98a35e8399dc177 |url-status=live}}</ref>