Iran has always been a center of attention for global powers due to its offensive military approach. In 2025, Iran is involved in a war and several maritime and proxy-related incidents.
The most important military engagement is the Iran-Israel war. In this 12-day direct conflict, Iran is launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones during “Operation True Promise III.”
Recently, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warns that his country is facing a “full-fledged war” with the United States, Israel and European powers.
Speaking at the official forum of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Pezeshkian said: “In my opinion, we are in a full-fledged war with America, Israel and Europe. They do not want our country to stand on its feet.”
These remarks highlight that Iran is once again surrounded by military tensions. But will its military capabilities be enough to maintain its sovereignty in such a tense environment?
Here’s a look at Iran’s military capabilities acquired by 2025 to help understand whether it is equipped to position itself strongly on the global stage.
Ballistic missiles and cruise missiles
At the heart of Iran’s strategic arsenal are its ballistic and cruise missiles, which serve both deterrent and retaliatory roles.
Iranian forces continue to conduct missile tests and exercises, indicating resilience and modernization despite June 2025 losses.
As reported by the New York Post, Iran conducted new ballistic tests months after the June conflict, with launches reported near Tehran, Isfahan and Mashhad.
In May 2025, Iran revealed Qassem Bassir. It is a new medium-range ballistic missile with a range of approximately 1,200 km and an advanced guidance system.
During late year’s 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 both coastal defense and regional attack potential, reports say Tehran Times.
Iranian naval commanders also claim development plans for supersonic cruise missiles with ranges up to 2,000 km, enhancing maritime attack and anti-access area denial (A2/AD) capabilities.
Drones
Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs have grown rapidly. It focuses on both advanced strike capabilities and large-scale dispersal.
By January 2025, the Iranian army deployed 1,000 advanced drones, including strategic, stealth and anti-fortification models with ranges over 2,000 km, reports Reuters. They also have lower visibility and significant payload capacity.
Another separate military exercise in 2025 highlights Iran’s several new drone types, including Kamikaze short-range reconnaissance UAVs. It also shows several multi-platforms capable of anti-armor and reconnaissance missions.
Long-endurance models such as the Qods Mohajer 10 remain central to Iran’s strike doctrine, flying up to 2,000 km with a 24-hour mission profile and carrying a mix of guided munitions.
These approaches highlight that by 2025, Iran was focusing on the strategy of asymmetric air lethality, enabling sustained surveillance and strike capabilities over much of the Middle East and beyond.
Naval power and maritime strategy
With or without any escalated military tensions, Iran needs to maintain an advanced maritime strategy and effective naval power because of the “Strait of Hormuz.”
The strait is a narrow waterway that is 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 by conducting major naval exercises.
Iran’s naval capabilities focus on asymmetric sea control, spearheaded by missile boats, drones and cruise missiles.
Commissioned in early 2025, the IRIS Shahid Bagheri showcases Tehran’s first drone vessel capable of deploying UAVs, helicopters and anti-ship missiles hundreds of miles from ports.
This year’s naval exercise also involved the simultaneous firing of ballistic and cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, in addition to striking simulated enemy bases that highlighted integrated attack concepts at sea.
Iran’s naval capabilities are also sufficient to control and seize the choke point completely. In addition to exercises, recent incidents highlight Iran’s active role in enforcing its maritime security requirements.
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 a counter-smuggling operation, AP reports.
Outlook
By 2026, Iran’s defense is expected to focus on missile modernization, UAV proliferation and maritime deterrence bolstered 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 emphasize its relevance in regional power balances.
