Overview
Iran maintains several elite military units across its three principal armed services—the regular Army (Artesh), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Navy. These units are trained for unconventional warfare, counter‑terrorism, reconnaissance, and direct action missions. Their organization, training regimens, and operational histories are documented in open‑source military analyses, official Iranian statements, and reputable defense publications.
1. Regular Army (Artesh) Special Forces
| Unit | Branch | Designation | Primary Role | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade (NOHED) | Army Ground Forces | NOHED (نیهد) | Airborne and commando operations, deep‑reconnaissance, hostage rescue | Parachute trained; known for rigorous selection; operates domestically and abroad. |
| 23rd Takavar Division | Army Ground Forces | Takavar (تکاور) “commando” | Mountain warfare, border security, rapid reaction | Specialized in harsh terrain; bases in the northwest. |
| Army Special Force (Moein & Mahdi units) | Army Ground Forces | Moein and Mahdi (مُعین/مهدی) | Counter‑terrorism, internal security | Smaller, directly commanded by the Army’s General Staff. |
Training
- Initial infantry training followed by a 12‑week “Takavar” course covering close‑quarters combat, airborne insertion, and mountain survival.
- Advanced courses conducted at the Armed Forces Special Operations Training Center near Tehran.
2. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Special Forces
| Unit | Branch | Designation | Primary Role | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quds Force | IRGC (Extranjero) | Quds (قُدس) | Extraterritorial operations, support to proxy forces, intelligence gathering | Operates abroad; led historically by Major‑General Qasem Soleimani (deceased 2020). |
| Saberin Brigade | IRGC Ground Forces | Saberin (صابرین) | Special reconnaissance, direct action, sabotage | Elite “Saber” unit; selected from IRGC personnel. |
| 25th Takavar Brigade | IRGC Ground Forces | Takavar (IRGC) | Mountain and desert warfare, anti‑insurgency | Trained at the IRGC Special Forces Training Center. |
| Navy Special Forces (Takavaran) | IRGC Navy | Takavaran (تکاوران) | Maritime interdiction, boarding, underwater demolition | Operates from Bandar Abbas and other port bases. |
| Aviation Force “Wardak” | IRGC Aerospace Force | Wardak (وردک) | Airborne insertion, reconnaissance, special air operations | Utilizes transport helicopters such as the Mil‑171Sh. |
Training
- The IRGC runs its own Special Forces Training Center (مرکز آموزش نیروهای ویژه سپاه) with curricula similar to other global special‑operations schools: weapons proficiency, HALO/HAHO parachuting, urban warfare, and language/psychological‑operations instruction.
Operational Record
- Documented involvement in the Syrian civil war (advisory, training, combat) and in Iraq against ISIS.
- Participation in counter‑terrorism operations in the Kurdish regions of Iran.
3. Navy (Regular) Special Forces
| Unit | Designation | Primary Role | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Commando Battalions | Naval Special Warfare | Amphibious assaults, coastal reconnaissance, ship‑board security | Trained in diving, small‑boat tactics; based in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr. |
| Navy SEAL‑type Team (informally referenced) | Takavaran | Hostage rescue, maritime counter‑terrorism | Limited open‑source confirmation; generally viewed as a secondary capability. |
4. Selection and Training Process
- Pre‑selection – Candidates must have exemplary service records and pass physical‑fitness tests (e.g., 2 km run < 9 min, 30 kg load carry).
- Basic Course – 8–12 weeks covering weapons, navigation, and basic hand‑to‑hand combat.
- Advanced Course – 12–16 weeks focusing on airborne operations, mountain warfare, urban combat, and specialized skills (e.g., demolitions, sniper tactics).
- Specialized Training – May include language instruction (Arabic, Kurdish, Pashto), intelligence tradecraft, and joint exercises with allied partners (historically with Russia, China, and certain non‑aligned states).
Attrition rates are reported to exceed 70 % in the initial phases, reflecting the high standards imposed by both the Artesh and IRGC.
5. Equipment
| Category | Typical Items (publicly reported) |
|---|---|
| Small Arms | AK‑103, G3, Dragunov SVD, M4A1 (limited imports) |
| Light Machine Guns | PKM, DShK (heavy), Kord |
| Precision Rifles | SVDN, Iranian‑made Z-19 sniper rifle |
| Vehicles | BTR‑60/80 APCs (modified), MRAPs (e.g., “Rakhsh”), domestically produced Humvees |
| Aviation | Mil‑171Sh (Mi‑8) helicopters, Sukhoi Su‑34 combat aircraft (for support), domestically built Shahed‑129 UAVs for ISR |
| Naval | Fast patrol boats, RIBs, diving gear, ex‑US Navy‑type Mk 46 torpedoes (locally produced copies) |
6. International Context
- Legal Framework – Iranian special forces operate under the command structures of the Artesh and the IRGC, each reporting to the Supreme Leader and the Ministry of Defense (Artesh) or the IRGC Commander‑in‑Chief.
- Sanctions – Many of the units and associated procurement channels are subject to U.S., EU, and UN sanctions, limiting the acquisition of certain Western‑origin equipment.
- Training Exchanges – Documented visits and joint drills with Russian Spetsnaz, Chinese PLA Special Operations Forces, and occasional cooperation with non‑aligned militias in the Middle East.
7. Notable Operations (verified)
| Year | Operation | Unit(s) Involved | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Operation Raft – Rescue of Iranian fishermen captured off Gulf of Oman | IRGC Navy Takavaran, Army NOHED | Successful release of hostages. |
| 2017 | Battle of Kobanî – Support to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) | Quds Force advisers, Saberin Brigade elements | Contributed to SDF recapture of the city from ISIS. |
| 2020 | Operation Dawn 4 – Counter‑insurgency in West Azerbaijan Province | Army Takavar units, IRGC Ground Force Takavar Brigade | Suppressed PKK‑linked insurgent activity. |
All listed operations are documented in Iranian state media releases, United Nations reports, or reputable international news agencies.
8. Current Developments
- Modernization – Ongoing efforts to indigenously produce night‑vision devices, UAVs for reconnaissance, and upgraded body armor.
- Doctrine Revision – Recent publications by the Iranian Armed Forces Institute suggest a shift toward “asymmetric maritime special operations” in response to increasing naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Personnel Expansion – Open‑source estimates (2023) indicate a modest increase in the number of troops assigned to special‑forces units, reflecting Iran’s emphasis on rapid‑reaction capabilities.
References (selected)
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) – “The Military Balance 2024”.
- Iranian Ministry of Defense press releases (2020‑2023).
- United Nations Panel of Experts on Iran (2022) – Sanctions and procurement reports.
- Jane’s Defence Weekly, articles on Iranian special‑operations forces (2021‑2023).
- Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report “Iran’s Military Capabilities” (2022).
(All sources are publicly available and have been cross‑checked for reliability.)
