WANA (Mar 28) – Amid threats of U.S. heliborne operations and ground troop deployment, a military official has detailed the organization of Iran’s ground defense. The official described the strategy as a coordinated system of eight distinct layers, each with a specific mission to confront potential aggression.

 

“The enemy’s perception of facing a single, cohesive front is a superficial error,” the official stated, outlining the defensive layers as follows:

 

The Eight Layers of Defense

 

1. Special and Unique Forces

The first line of contact against advanced threats. This layer includes the IRGC Naval Special Force (SNSF), the Army Navy Rangers (SBS), and the 65th NOHED Brigade (Airborne Special Forces), along with the IRGC Special Forces Brigade and four complete Ground Force brigades.

Members of the Iranian Army Navy attend the welcome ceremony of the army fleet members in Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 21, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

These “Anti-Heliborne” units are stationed on Persian Gulf islands and coastal areas to intercept aerial insertions.

 

2. Fatehin Special Force

Fatehin Special Force and Airborne Divisions, the 25th, 35th, 45th, and 55th Airborne Brigades of the Army, the 23rd Airborne and 58th Takavar (Ranger) Divisions, and the Army Mountain Infantry Division: These are strike units designed for offensive operations in the depth of the battle zone.

 

3. Infantry-Mechanized Brigades

These brigades are composed of trained Army and IRGC Ground Force units equipped with armored vehicles. They receive air support from the Army and IRGC Aviation and are backed by heavy artillery fire.

military tanks are seen during the IRGC ground forces military drill in the Aras area, eastern Azerbaijan province, Iran, October 17, 2022. IRGC/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

4. Provincial Corps and Police Special Units

Responsible for confronting enemy forces and armed groups on city outskirts and within urban areas. This includes NOPO (Special Unit for Operations Support), which provides frontline combat support in urban environments.

 

5. Imam Hossein Battalions

Strike units equipped with heavy and semi-heavy weaponry, responsible for stabilizing defensive lines and providing fire support.

 

6. Imam Ali Battalions (Special Operations)

Described by the official as elite units designed for complex field operations during critical crisis conditions.

Iranian Army Rangers in Zulfiqar 99 exercise with units of Navy, Air Defense, Air Force, and Ground Force in an area of 2 million square kilometers near east of Hormuz Strait, Makran coasts, Sea of Oman, and north of Indian Ocean in south of Iran September 8, 2020. Picture taken September 8, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)

7. Veterans’ Basij

Composed of Holy Defense (Iran-Iraq war) veterans and retired IRGC and Basij personnel. These forces bring eight years of asymmetric warfare experience to the battlefield.

 

8. People’s Basij

The final layer involves the large-scale arming of civilian volunteers, particularly in threatened western and southern border regions.

 

This layer currently consists of over one million personnel, with the potential to surge to 10 million upon a general call-up.

Female members of Iranian militia forces (Basij) attend an anti-Israeli march in Tehran

Female members of Iranian militia forces (Basij) attend an anti-Israeli march in Tehran, Iran, January 10, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

“Designed to Take Prisoners”

The military official emphasized that this structure is not merely a passive defense but an independent offensive complex designed to destroy the enemy and take aggressors as prisoners.

 

“What awaits attackers in the event of any calculation error,” the official concluded, “is entry into layers of defense from which we have made exit impossible.”