Iran possesses one of the Middle East’s largest and most diverse arsenals, emphasizing missiles, drones, and asymmetric capabilities due to sanctions limiting conventional arms imports.
Ballistic Missiles
Iran’s missile inventory exceeds 1,500 units post-2025 conflicts, featuring solid- and liquid-fuel systems with ranges up to 2,500 km. Key models include the Khorramshahr-4 (2,000 km range, 1,500 kg warhead) for deep strikes and Emad (1,700 km, high accuracy). Haj Qassem and Qasem Basir (1,200-1,400 km, solid-fuel) enable rapid launches against Israel and U.S. bases.
| Missile | Range (km) | Warhead (kg) | Fuel Type |
| Khorramshahr-4 | 2,000 | 1,500 | Liquid |
| Ghadr-110 | 2,000 | 700 | Liquid |
| Emad | 1,700 | 750 | Liquid |
| Haj Qassem | 1,400 | 500 | Solid |
| Zolfagar | 700 | 500 | Solid |
Drones and UAVs
Drones like Shahed 136 (Geran-2) form swarm tactics backbones, with 1,391 launched in recent wars; Iran produces thousands cheaply. Shahed series includes loitering munitions (50 kg payload, 2,500 km range) and Mohajer-10 for reconnaissance/strikes. These compensate for weak air forces, targeting infrastructure.
Ground Forces
Over 1,500 tanks include indigenous Karrar MBTs and upgraded T-72S/Z Safir variants. Artillery features 1,476+ MLRS like Fajr-1 (107mm) and BM-21 Grad copies. Armored vehicles: Zulfiqar, Mobarez tanks; Toufan APCs; Spartak MRAPs.
Air Force
Aging fleet: ~30 MiG-29s, 40 F-14 Tomcats (upgraded F-14AM), domestic HESA Saeqeh/Azarakhsh fighters (capabilities unverified). Attack helos: Toufan, Panha 209.
Navy
101 assets: 25 submarines (mostly mini), 21 patrol vessels, 7 frigates (Moudge-class), fast-attack craft with anti-ship missiles for Gulf swarms. Coastal defenses: Peykaap III boats.
Strategic Role
Post-2025 Israel war depleted stocks by half, but Iran replenished via China and domestic upgrades, shifting to offensive asymmetric doctrine. Budget rose 145% to $9.2B amid sanctions.
