IRGC
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: organisational structure, key facilities, doctrine, and escalation pattern across Rounds 1–4.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is the primary military force behind Iran's strike operations against Israel. Unlike Iran's conventional military (Artesh), the IRGC is an ideological military force answerable directly to the Supreme Leader. Its Aerospace Force controls Iran's entire ballistic missile and drone arsenal.
IRGC Aerospace Force (IRGC-AF)
Role: Primary strike force. Commands all ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and strategic drones.
Key assets: Emad, Ghadr, Sejjil, Kheibar Shekan, Fattah-1/2, Khorramshahr-4 (ballistic missiles); Paveh, Hoveyzeh (cruise missiles).
See also: Ballistic Missiles, Cruise Missiles
IRGC Drone Command
Role: UAV and one-way attack drone operations.
Key assets: Shahed-136, Shahed-238, Shahed-131, Mohajer-6.
Notable: Supplies drones to Russia, Houthis, and Iraqi militias.
See also: UAVs
IRGC Navy (IRGCN)
Role: Naval strike, anti-shipping, Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz control.
Key assets: Anti-ship ballistic missiles, fast attack craft, naval drones, mines.
Area: Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman. Operates separately from Iran's regular navy (IRIN).
IRGC Quds Force
Role: External operations, proxy coordination, weapons supply.
Area: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen.
Key activities: Commands and supplies Hizbullah, coordinates Iraqi militias, supports Houthis. Previously led by Qasem Soleimani (killed January 2020).
| Facility | Location | Type | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kermanshah | Western Iran (34.31N, 47.07E) | Primary launch zone | BM and drone launch; closest major site to Israel |
| Tabriz | Northwestern Iran (38.07N, 46.30E) | Launch zone | Northwestern BM launch |
| Isfahan | Central Iran (32.65N, 51.68E) | Missile bases | Sejjil and Fattah production and launch |
| Semnan | Central Iran (35.57N, 53.39E) | Test/launch complex | Missile development and testing |
| Khorramabad | Western Iran (33.49N, 48.35E) | Launch zone | BM launch, drone staging |
| Bandar Abbas | Southern Iran (27.19N, 56.27E) | Naval base | IRGCN operations, anti-shipping |
Saturation
Overwhelming defences through sheer volume. Hundreds of munitions in a single wave, designed to exhaust interceptor stocks.
Mixed Salvos
Combining ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones in single operations. Each weapon type arrives at different times, keeping defences active for hours and creating multiple engagement windows.
Attrition
Sustained campaigns (Round 3: 12 days, 22 waves) designed to deplete interceptor stocks faster than they can be resupplied.
Multi-Theatre (Round 4)
Expanding targets beyond Israel to US and coalition bases across the Gulf, forcing defenders to spread resources across a wider area.
| Round | Munitions | Duration | Targets | Key Evolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | ~320 | Single night | Israel only | First direct strike; tested coalition response |
| Round 2 | ~200 | Single salvo | Israel only | Ballistic missile-only; exploited speed advantage |
| Round 3 | ~1,700+ | 12 days, 22 waves | Israel only | Sustained campaign; attrition warfare |
| Round 4 | Ongoing | Weeks+ | Israel + Gulf + coalition bases | Multi-theatre; strategic expansion |
See also: Rounds overview, Data table
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