Iran has always been the focus of world powers due to its offensive military approach. In 2025, Iran was involved in a war and several maritime and proxy-related incidents.
The most important military confrontation was the war between Iran and Israel. In this 12-day direct conflict, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones as part of “Operation True Promise III.”
Recently, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that his country faces a “full-blown war” with the United States, Israel and European powers.
Speaking at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s official forum, Pezeshkian said: “In my opinion, we are in a full-blown war with the United States, Israel and Europe. They do not want our country to stand.”
These comments highlight that Iran is once again surrounded by military tensions. But will its military capabilities be enough to sustain its sovereignty in such a tense environment?
Here’s a look at Iran’s military capabilities acquired in 2025 to help understand whether it is equipped to position itself strongly on the global stage.
Ballistic and cruise missiles
At the heart of Iran’s strategic arsenal are its ballistic and cruise missiles, which serve both deterrence and retaliation functions.
Iranian forces continue to conduct missile tests and drills, indicating resilience and modernization despite losses in June 2025.
As the New York Post reported, Iran conducted new ballistic tests months after the June conflict, with launches reported near Tehran, Isfahan and Mashhad.
In May 2025, Iran introduced the Qassem Bassir. It is a new medium-range ballistic missile with a range of approximately 1,200 kilometers and an advanced guidance system.
During the year-end naval exercise “Eghtedar (Power),” the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced the use of long-range missiles with ranges exceeding the length of the Persian Gulf. With a range of over 989 km, the missiles demonstrate potential for both coastal defense and regional strike. Tehran Times.
Iranian naval commanders also claim plans to develop supersonic cruise missiles with ranges of up to 2,000 km, enhancing maritime strike and access area denial (A2/AD) capabilities.
Drones
Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs have expanded rapidly. It focuses on both high-end strike capabilities and large-scale proliferation.
In January 2025, the Iranian military put into service 1,000 advanced drones, including strategic, stealth and anti-fortification models with a range of more than 2,000 km, according to reports. Reuters. They also have lower visibility and significant payload capacities.
Separate military exercises in 2025 highlight several new types of Iran’s drones, including short-range reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles to kamikaze. It also showcases several multiple platforms capable of performing anti-armor and reconnaissance missions.
Long-endurance models like the Qods Mohajer 10 remain central to Iran’s strike doctrine, flying up to 2,000 kilometers with a 24-hour mission profile and carrying a combination of guided munitions.
These approaches highlight that in 2025, Iran focused on asymmetric air lethality strategy, enabling persistent surveillance and strike capability across much of the Middle East and beyond.
Naval power and maritime strategy
With or without an escalation of military tensions, Iran needs to maintain an advanced maritime strategy and efficient naval power due to the “Strait of Hormuz.”
The Strait is a narrow waterway that constitutes one of the most strategically vital maritime corridors in the world. In late 2025, the IRGC intensified its presence and operational activity along the Strait, conducting large-scale naval exercises.
Iran’s naval capabilities focus on asymmetric maritime control with missile ships, aircraft carriers and cruise missiles at the forefront.
The IRIS Shahid Bagheri, commissioned in early 2025, showcases Tehran’s first drone carrier ship, capable of deploying unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and anti-ship missiles hundreds of miles from ports.
This year’s naval exercise also involved simultaneous firing of ballistic and cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, in addition to attacking simulated enemy bases, highlighting integrated attack concepts at sea.
Iran’s naval capabilities are also adequate to completely control and seize the chokepoint. Beyond the exercises, recent incidents highlight Iran’s active role in fulfilling its maritime security claims.
In December 2025, the IRCG seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker near the Strait, detained its crew, and moved the vessel into Iranian waters under the pretext of an anti-smuggling operation. AP information.
Perspective
Looking ahead to 2026, Iran’s defenses are expected to focus on missile modernization, unmanned aerial vehicle proliferation and maritime deterrence strengthened by a strategic partnership, particularly with Russia in the space and defense sectors. At the same time, Tehran’s intention is to resist external pressure and underline its relevance in regional power balances.
