Defending Iran: From Revolutionary Guards to Ballistic Missiles

Iran's ruling establishment has developed and articulated a defense strategy reflective of its Iran-Iraq war experience and international isolation. This strategy includes asymmetrical warfare doctrine, irregular forces, ballistic missiles, fast naval vessels, and cyber warfare capability. Gawdat Bahgat and Anoushiravan Ehteshami offer a detailed and authoritative analysis of Iran's defense strategy, comparing its capabilities to Israel and Saudi Arabia. This book provides a wider historical context for Tehran's threat perceptions and facilitates analytical reflections on Iran's changing role in the region and its relations with the United States, Europe, Russia, and China.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Since the 1979 revolution, Iran's ruling establishment has developed and articulated a defense strategy that reflects the country's Iran-Iraq war experience and its international isolation. This unique defense strategy encompasses a range of innovative and unconventional tactics, including asymmetrical warfare doctrine, the use of irregular forces in military campaigns, the deployment of ballistic missiles, the use of fast naval vessels to harass and confuse adversaries, and the development of a sophisticated cyber warfare capability.

To provide a comprehensive and authoritative analysis of Iran's defense strategy, Gawdat Bahgat and Anoushiravan Ehteshami have drawn upon a wide range of primary sources in Persian, Arabic, and English. This book offers a detailed and nuanced exploration of Iran's military capabilities, comparing them to those of its regional adversaries, Israel and Saudi Arabia. By framing Tehran's threat perceptions following the revolution within a wider historical context, this book facilitates further analytical reflections on Iran's changing role in the region and its relations with the United States, Europe, Russia, and China.

One of the key aspects of Iran's defense strategy is its emphasis on asymmetrical warfare. This approach involves using unconventional forces and tactics to offset the military advantages of larger and more technologically advanced adversaries. For example, Iran has deployed irregular forces, such as Hezbollah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, to conduct guerrilla warfare and sabotage operations in neighboring countries. Iran has also developed a network of proxy forces, including the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, which has been active in Syria and Iraq, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen, which have been supported by Iran.

Another notable feature of Iran's defense strategy is its use of ballistic missiles. Iran has a large and diverse fleet of ballistic missiles, including the Shahab-3, Shahab-4, and Fateh-110. These missiles are capable of carrying multiple warheads and have a range that extends well beyond the Middle East. Iran has also developed the ability to launch ballistic missiles from submarines, which adds to its strategic flexibility.

In addition to its ballistic missile capabilities, Iran has also developed a sophisticated cyber warfare capability. This includes the ability to launch cyberattacks against government and military infrastructure, as well as against critical infrastructure such as power grids and transportation networks. Iran has also developed a network of cyber-criminals and hackers who can carry out these attacks.

Another key aspect of Iran's defense strategy is its use of fast naval vessels to harass and confuse adversaries. Iran has a fleet of modern naval vessels, including the Kharg, the Bushehr, and the Sabalan. These vessels are equipped with advanced sensors and weapons systems and are designed to patrol the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Iran has also used its naval vessels to conduct maritime operations, such as the seizure of oil tankers and the disruption of shipping lanes.

Finally, Iran's defense strategy includes the development of a sophisticated air defense system. This system includes a network of radar stations, missile defense systems, and air-to-air missiles. Iran has also developed the ability to launch ballistic missiles from aircraft, which adds to its air defense capabilities.

In conclusion, Iran's ruling establishment has developed and articulated a defense strategy that reflects the country's Iran-Iraq war experience and its international isolation. This unique defense strategy encompasses a range of innovative and unconventional tactics, including asymmetrical warfare doctrine, the use of irregular forces in military campaigns, the deployment of ballistic missiles, the use of fast naval vessels to harass and confuse adversaries, and the development of a sophisticated cyber warfare capability. By drawing upon a wide range of primary sources and offering a comprehensive and authoritative analysis, Gawdat Bahgat and Anoushiravan Ehteshami have provided a valuable contribution to our understanding of Iran's defense strategy and its regional implications.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108701730