How Strong Are Iran's Defence Forces? Tehran's Fire Power In Focus Amid Rising Tensions With Israel

Israel's recent offensive against Iran targeted the very core of its nuclear infrastructure-striking facilities, missile production plants, and senior military leadership.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) declared that Operation Rising Lion was a "pre-emptive" move aimed at preventing Iran from producing a nuclear weapon "in a very short time," according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

This assault went ahead despite warnings from US President Donald Trump, who cautioned that such intervention could jeopardise ongoing nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Iran is widely believed to be accelerating its nuclear ambitions.

In retaliation, Iran's leadership pledged "heavy blows" and, by Friday night, launched a barrage of missiles at Israel, injuring dozens.

Who Are IRGC?

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), founded in 1979 to protect the Islamic Republic, is now the most powerful wing of Iran's military.

Several of its senior commanders were reportedly killed in Israel's strikes. The IRGC is responsible for overseeing Iran's ballistic missile programme and reports directly to the Supreme Leader.

With an estimated 125,000 members-though some believe the true figure is higher-it operates ground, air, and naval units.

It also controls the Basij, a paramilitary volunteer militia known for enforcing regime loyalty and cracking down on dissent. Some analysts estimate that the Basij could have millions of members.

The Quds Force, the IRGC's external operations arm, exerts major influence across regional proxy groups. The US designates the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.

The Quds Force was instrumental in founding Hezbollah in 1982 to promote Iran's ideology and counter Israeli influence in Lebanon.

Military Capabilities of IRGC

The IRGC has significant land, sea, and air power and is responsible for Iran's sophisticated ballistic missile arsenal-considered the most extensive in the Middle East, reported Sky News.

These missiles have been used in strikes against militants in Syria and Iraq.

Western nations have blamed Iran for the 2019 missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's largest oil facilities, though Iran has denied responsibility.

With its own intelligence services and battle-tested equipment, the IRGC has demonstrated its military reach through involvement in Syria and Iraq. Its cruise and ballistic missiles can reportedly strike any target within the region.

The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirms that Iran holds the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the region.

What Do We Know About Iran's Missiles?

Iranian state media have previously highlighted missiles capable of striking Israel. Among them:

Sejil: A missile capable of reaching speeds over 10,500 mph with a range of around 1,550 miles.
Kheibar: Can travel approximately 1,240 miles.
Haj Qassem: A range of roughly 870 miles.

Iran claims these missiles serve as a deterrent against aggression from the US, Israel, and others in the region, while insisting it does not seek nuclear weapons.

Iran has also unveiled the Mohajer-10, a domestically built drone said to have a range of 1,240 miles and capable of flying for 24 hours with a 300kg payload.

In mid-2023, Iran revealed what it said was its first homegrown hypersonic missile-hypersonic weapons travel at least five times the speed of sound and are difficult to intercept.

The Arms Control Association, based in Washington, says Iran's missile technology borrows heavily from North Korean and Russian designs, with additional input from China. Short- and medium-range missiles like the Shahab-1 (190-mile range) and the Kh-55 cruise missile (up to 1,860 miles) form part of its arsenal. Iran also possesses anti-ship missiles such as the Khalid Farzh, which has a range of around 186 miles and can carry a 1.1-tonne warhead.

Iran's Use of Proxy Militias

Beyond direct military operations, Iran supports regional groups targeting Israel, US assets, and shipping in the Red Sea. Collectively known as the "Axis of Resistance," these groups include:

Hamas (Palestinian territories)
Hezbollah (Lebanon)
Houthis (Yemen)
Various militias in Iraq and Syria

Hezbollah, created by the IRGC in 1982, has since become a formidable military and political entity-widely seen as more powerful than the Lebanese state itself.

The Houthi movement took control of much of Yemen in 2014 and maintains strong ties to Iran. Since late 2023, the Houthis have been involved in attacks against Israel and international shipping.

The US believes the IRGC has assisted in planning these operations, though Tehran denies involvement, and the Houthis reject being labelled as Iranian proxies.

What Are Iran's Nuclear Capabilities?

The UN's nuclear watchdog has determined that Iran is not meeting its international nuclear commitments-the first such finding in two decades. Tehran has pledged to construct a new uranium enrichment site in a "secure location."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated in June 2023 that Western powers could not prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear arms if it chose to do so. He added that negotiations were possible only if Iran's nuclear infrastructure remained intact.

Despite persistent suspicions, Iran continues to deny that it is pursuing nuclear weapons.