Iran Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 11th
MPR SCORE: 1333
MPR Index: 0.6135 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.3664 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +2.328 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Iran ranks 11th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR), reflecting its massive manpower reserves, advanced missile arsenal, and regional power projection capabilities. The country’s military posture is shaped by decades of sanctions, asymmetric warfare doctrine, and persistent rivalry with the United States, Israel, and Gulf Arab states. Iran's military is split between the regular armed forces (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with the latter playing a dominant role in regional operations and power projection. Iran’s doctrine focuses on deterrence, area denial, and costly retaliation, reinforced by its strong missile command, cyber units, and ability to mobilize allied militias across the Middle East.Despite an aging air force and limited access to Western technology, Iran has invested heavily in ballistic missiles, UAVs, and proxy forces to compensate for conventional shortcomings. Iran’s strength lies in its defensive posture, new alliance with Russia, terrain, asymmetric warfare tactics, proxy forces in the region, and growing indigenous defense industries that produce advanced missiles and drones.
Strengths: Regional Power Projection and Missile Dominance
1. Ballistic Missile Arsenal and Precision Strike Capabilities
Iran’s missile forces form the backbone of its deterrent strategy:
Shahab-3, Emad, Sejjil, and Khaybar Shekan ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 km
Fateh-110, Zolfaghar, Dezful, and Raad tactical missiles for battlefield use
Precise SRBM/IRBM systems capable of striking Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf targets
Underground missile silos and mobile launchers enhance survivability
2. Advanced UAV and Loitering Munitions Fleet
Iran is a world leader in drone warfare outside major powers:
Shahed-129, Mohajer-6, Ababil-3, and Karrar used in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen
Shahed-136 loitering munition widely exported to Russia and used in Ukraine
Armed UAVs used to bypass air defense systems and project power via proxies
Domestic industry rapidly expanding low-cost, long-range UAV production
3. Proxy Warfare and Asymmetric Force Multipliers
Iran extends military influence without deploying conventional troops:
Supports Hezbollah, PMF (Iraq), Houthis (Yemen), Liwa Fatemiyoun, and others
Conducts operations through IRGC Quds Force advisors and logistic networks
Enables partners with missiles, drones, and training to tie down regional adversaries
Proxy forces used to harass, deter, or retaliate against Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.
4. Air Defense and Strategic Denial Systems
Iran has developed a layered defense architecture to protect strategic assets:
Bavar-373 (S-300 equivalent), Khordad-15, and Sayyad-3 systems
Integration of radars, mobile launchers, and electronic warfare platforms
Downed a U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk drone in 2019, showcasing operational readiness
Denies air supremacy to adversaries via overlapping coverage and redundancy
5. Cyberwarfare and Indigenous Military Industry
Iran’s cyber and military-industrial sectors are key force enablers:
Conducts cyber operations against Israeli, U.S., and Gulf targets
Domestic production of tanks, drones, missiles, and EW systems despite sanctions
Builds reverse-engineered versions of F-5s, T-72s, and other legacy platforms
Collaborates with Russia and China on military tech transfers and training
Why Iran Is Ranked 11th
1. Technological Gap in Airpower and Naval Reach
Iran’s air force consists of outdated fighters like the F-4, MiG-29, and Su-24, with no modern multirole platforms. The IRIAF lacks:
True air superiority
Modern AEW&C systems
Advanced guided munitions
Its naval fleet, while potent in swarm tactics and littoral defense, lacks blue-water capability or expeditionary reach.
2. No Formal Alliances or Nuclear Umbrella
Iran remains outside of any formal military alliance system:
No nuclear weapons
No guaranteed retaliatory doctrine from a great power
Politically isolated, limiting global force projection
In contrast, top-ranked countries benefit from alliances, shared technology, and joint force basing.
3. Economic and Demographic Constraints
Iran faces heavy burdens on its military planning:
Sanctions limit procurement, R&D, and economic growth
A young but underemployed population presents internal security risks
Sustaining long, conventional campaigns would stress its supply chain
Conclusion
Iran possesses one of the world’s most formidable regional military architectures, combining missiles, drones, proxy warfare, and defensive depth. While its conventional forces are outdated, Iran has mastered the art of asymmetric deterrence and strategic denial. In the MPR system—which emphasizes real-world combat power, logistics, and reach—Iran ranks 10th, just ahead of Japan and South Korea, due to its combat-tested doctrine, force resilience, and regional dominance.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 610,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 350,000 (SIPRI 2023)
Paramilitary Forces (IRGC & Basij): 1,000,000+ (CIA World Factbook)
Iran’s military forces are divided between the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (IRIA) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC, which includes the Basij paramilitary force, plays a significant role in both domestic security and regional military operations through proxy forces in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen. Iran’s conventional military capabilities are relatively limited, but the IRGC is well-suited for asymmetric warfare.
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 1,500+ (SIPRI 2023, IISS 2023)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 2,100+ (SIPRI 2023)
Artillery Pieces (Towed and Self-Propelled): 4,500+ (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 1,000+ (IISS 2023)
Iran’s Ground Forces are composed of both modernized and legacy Soviet-era and indigenous equipment. The Zulfiqar MBT is Iran’s primary tank, though it remains technologically inferior to more modern tanks. Iran’s strength lies in its artillery and rocket forces, which provide long-range firepower and are well-suited for defensive operations.
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 330+ (IISS 2023, SIPRI 2023)
Attack Helicopters: 50+ (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Transport Aircraft: 60+ (IISS 2023)
Iran’s Air Force (IRIAF) has faced difficulties modernizing due to decades of sanctions, leading it to rely on older Soviet-era and American aircraft from the 1970s and 1980s. However, Iran has managed to develop domestic upgrades for many of its aircraft and has focused heavily on drone warfare to compensate for its aging air force. Iranian drones, such as the Shahed-136, are widely used for surveillance and combat roles.
Aircraft Breakdown:
F-14 Tomcat (Interceptor): 30+ (IISS 2023)
MiG-29 (Multirole Fighter): 40+ (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Su-24 (Strike Aircraft): 30+ (SIPRI 2023)
Shahed and Mohajer Drones: Extensive use in combat and reconnaissance operations
Naval Forces
Warships: 25 major combat vessels (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Submarines: 34 (SIPRI 2023)
Frigates and Corvettes: 18 (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Iran’s Navy is split between the IRGC Navy, which focuses on asymmetric naval warfare and coastal defense, and the Iranian Navy, which operates larger vessels and submarines. Iran’s strength in the naval domain lies in its extensive use of fast attack craft, mine warfare, and anti-ship missile systems. Its Ghadir-class mini-submarines are suited for operations in the shallow waters of the Persian Gulf.
Naval Vessel Breakdown:
Ghadir-Class Submarines: 20 (SIPRI 2023)
Kilo-Class Submarines: 3 (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Moudge-Class Frigates: 7 (IISS 2023)
Fast Attack Craft: 100+ (widely used for asymmetric operations)
Missile Inventory
Iran has developed a highly sophisticated missile program, featuring a wide range of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. Its missile capabilities serve as a key element of its deterrence strategy, particularly against regional adversaries like Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Ballistic Missiles
Shahab-3 (MRBM)
Range: 1,300–2,000 km
Warhead: Conventional/Nuclear capable
Quantity: Widely deployed
Emad (MRBM)
Range: 2,000 km
Warhead: Conventional
Quantity: Increasing deployment
Sejjil-2 (MRBM)
Range: 2,000 km
Warhead: Conventional/Nuclear capable
Quantity: Unknown
Qiam-1 (SRBM)
Range: 800 km
Warhead: Conventional
Quantity: Extensive deployment
Cruise Missiles
Soumar Cruise Missile
Range: 2,500 km
Warhead: Conventional/Nuclear capable
Quantity: Classified
Nuclear and Strategic Deterrence
Although Iran does not officially possess nuclear weapons, its nuclear program and its ability to enrich uranium have raised concerns internationally. Iran’s missile capabilities, including MRBMs and SRBMs, provide a credible regional deterrent. Iran’s focus on proxy forces and asymmetric capabilities, including its support for groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, further strengthens its strategic posture.
Logistics and Supply Chain Resilience
Iran has developed an impressive domestic defense industry, producing a wide range of ballistic missiles, drones, and small arms. However, it remains reliant on external sources for more advanced technologies due to sanctions. Iran’s economy has been severely impacted by these sanctions, limiting its ability to maintain large stockpiles of modern weapons systems.
Command, Control, and Leadership
Iran’s military leadership is divided between the IRIA and the IRGC, with the latter wielding significant influence both militarily and politically. The IRGC oversees Iran’s strategic forces, including its missile arsenal and cyber warfare units. Iran places a strong emphasis on integrated defense and regional operations via proxy forces.
Offensive and Defensive Capabilities
Iran’s military capabilities are primarily focused on defense and deterrence. Its missile systems are designed to target regional military bases and infrastructure in case of conflict. Iran has also developed a robust cyber warfare capability, which it uses to disrupt the systems of adversaries. Its focus on drone warfare, both in surveillance and combat roles, makes it a leader in the Middle East.
Strategic Partnerships and Alliances
Iran maintains close military relationships with Russia and China, which have provided it with defense technology and expertise, particularly in missile technology. Iran’s alliance with regional proxy groups, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, gives it considerable influence in the Middle East, allowing it to project power beyond its borders. Iran is also part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), increasing its strategic ties with Russia and China.
Military History & Combat Experience
Iran’s military evolution since the 20th century has been shaped by monarchy-era modernization, revolutionary transformation, prolonged war, and its emergence as a regional asymmetric power. Its armed forces have experienced direct conventional warfare, large-scale mobilization, international isolation, and sustained proxy operations—resulting in one of the most combat-experienced military establishments in the Middle East.
Imperial Modernization and U.S. Alignment (1950s–1979): Under the Shah, Iran underwent a sweeping military buildup fueled by U.S. arms and advisors. The Imperial Iranian Army became one of the largest and most technologically advanced in the region, with F-14 Tomcats, British tanks, and American helicopters. Iran served as a key Cold War ally for the West, helping contain Soviet influence and acting as a regional security partner. However, its forces were heavily dependent on foreign logistics and lacked indigenous defense depth.
The Islamic Revolution and Military Purge (1979–1980): The 1979 revolution overthrew the monarchy, dissolved traditional alliances, and ushered in the Islamic Republic. The new regime purged many senior officers and restructured the military under ideological lines. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was created as a parallel force to ensure regime loyalty and became the foundation for Iran’s future asymmetric and expeditionary capabilities. Relations with the U.S. collapsed, and Iran entered a period of strategic isolation.
Iran–Iraq War and Mass Mobilization (1980–1988): Iraq’s invasion in 1980 triggered an eight-year war of attrition that defined Iran’s military identity. Facing conventional inferiority and widespread use of chemical weapons by Iraq, Iran adopted a strategy of total mobilization, human-wave offensives, and deep defense in depth. The war led to the formation of indigenous arms production, early ballistic missile deployment, and integration of Basij paramilitaries for mass recruitment. Despite massive casualties and economic devastation, Iran emerged with hardened command structures, defensive resilience, and a doctrine rooted in endurance warfare.
Naval Confrontation and Gulf Escalation (1987–1988): In the war’s final phase, Iran clashed with the United States Navy during the so-called “Tanker War.” The U.S. conducted Operation Praying Mantis in retaliation for Iranian mining activity, sinking multiple vessels. These confrontations catalyzed Iran’s focus on small boat tactics, mine warfare, and swarm strategies, which later became hallmarks of the IRGC Navy operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
Post-War Rebuilding and Regional Positioning (1989–2010): Following the ceasefire, Iran expanded its missile arsenal, improved domestic weapons manufacturing, and focused on countering perceived encirclement by U.S. bases in the region. Its support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, Palestinian factions, and later Shia militias in Iraq laid the groundwork for a multi-layered proxy network. Iran also engaged in naval standoffs, including the 2007 seizure of British personnel, reinforcing its use of strategic provocation for political messaging.
Syrian Civil War and Proxy Expansion (2011–Present): Iran's intervention in the Syrian conflict marked its most extensive overseas military campaign since the 1980s. Through the IRGC Quds Force, it deployed advisors, coordinated logistics, and mobilized foreign fighters such as Liwa Fatemiyoun and Hezbollah. These operations provided Iran with urban warfare experience, drone battlefield integration, and cross-border command-and-control refinement. Iran simultaneously expanded its presence in Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, establishing a persistent forward military posture without conventional occupation.
U.S. Tensions, Missile Strikes, and Grey Zone Warfare (2018–Present): The U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the 2020 assassination of General Qassem Soleimani dramatically escalated tensions. Iran retaliated with ballistic missile strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq, marking one of the few state-to-state missile attacks on American troops in decades. It further expanded its use of UAVs, cyber attacks, and precision-guided munitions across multiple theaters, showcasing its evolution into a hybrid actor capable of blending state and non-state methods.
Iran’s military history reflects a transformation from Western-dependent monarchy to a self-reliant, ideologically driven, and regionally engaged actor. Shaped by prolonged war, external pressure, and proxy entrenchment, Iran has built a defense doctrine rooted in strategic deterrence, force dispersion, and multi-domain pressure. Its capabilities today—though uneven—are underpinned by real-world experience, regional reach, and hardened resolve.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~89.6 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~39 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 1,648,195 km²
Land Boundaries: 5,894 km
Bordering Countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan
Coastline: 2,440 km (including Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf)
Climate: Mostly arid or semi-arid; subtropical along Caspian coast
Terrain: Rugged mountains, high plateaus, desert basins, narrow coastal plains
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
Proven Oil Reserves: ~155 billion barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~33.7 trillion cubic meters
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$11.2 billion USD (estimate; includes IRGC and MOIS components)
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.7% (estimate)
GDP (PPP): ~$1.98 trillion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$21,500
External Debt: ~$8.5 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Stable with surges in asymmetric and missile funding despite sanctions
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for males (~18–24 months); exemptions and alternatives exist
Primary Defense Focus: Deterrence, asymmetric warfare, ballistic missile development, regional influence via proxies
Military Industry Base: Expansive; includes DIO, Aerospace Industries Organization, and IRGC-run firms
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Advanced; cyber units under IRGC and MOIS engaged in regional espionage and disruption
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None declared; nuclear breakout potential debated
Major Military Districts / Commands: Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ, IRGC regional commands, Artesh (conventional forces) regional zones
Missile Inventory Highlights: Shahab, Sejjil, Ghadr, Fateh-110, Zolfaghar, Emad, and Soumar cruise missiles
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Mobilization capability via Basij network within 1–2 weeks
Reservist Force Size: Estimated 2–3 million via Basij and trained former conscripts
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Operated by ISA and IRGC; launches small satellites using indigenous rockets (Simorgh, Qased)
Military Satellite Inventory: Limited; 2–4 known IRGC military or dual-use satellites
Intelligence Infrastructure: Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS), IRGC Intelligence, Artesh Military Intelligence
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Selective cooperation with Syria, Hezbollah, Russia, North Korea
Airports (Total): ~319 (civilian and military)
Major Military Airports: Mehrabad, Shiraz, Tabriz, Bandar Abbas, Kermanshah, Dezful
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~570 vessels
Major Ports: Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Khorramshahr, Chabahar
Naval Infrastructure: Two naval forces (IRIN and IRGC Navy); asymmetric naval bases across Persian Gulf
Naval Replenishment Capability: Limited; resupply via converted tankers and supply vessels for regional operations
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~15,000 km
Roadways: ~270,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~3.2 million barrels per day (2024)
Energy Imports: Minimal; self-sufficient in oil; imports some electricity and gas seasonally
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Estimated ~30–40 million barrels; limited transparency
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Self-reliant; produces ballistic/cruise missiles, UAVs, tanks, small arms, naval vessels
Military Installations (Domestic): Dozens of airbases, missile silos, underground bunkers, IRGC and Artesh garrisons
Military Installations (Overseas): None officially; extensive influence operations via proxies in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: No stationed foreign troops; Russian advisors present in some joint facilities
Defense Alliances: No formal alliances; strategic partnerships with Syria, Russia, China, and non-state actors
Strategic Airlift Capability: Limited; uses IL-76, Boeing 747s, and other retrofitted cargo aircraft
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate; dual-use facilities can be repurposed for defense in wartime
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Focused on missile tech, UAVs, cyber, and electronic warfare; limited transparency
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: National Iranian Oil Co., MAPNA (engineering), SAIPA and Iran Khodro (vehicles), defense-linked research centers
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Tehran
Founding Date: April 1, 1979 (Islamic Republic declared)
System of Government: Theocratic republic under Supreme Leader and elected President
