Repel and Attack: Iran's Capabilities in a Conflict with the US
The United States is amassing forces in the Middle East and is apparently preparing an attack on Iran. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic's armed forces are preparing for possible aggression. A variety of assets and weapons, operating on land, at sea, and in the air, could be used to repel it. Their competent and comprehensive use would, at a minimum, disrupt the actions of a potential adversary or even discourage them from making rash moves.
The attacking side
According to available data, the United States is deploying forces and assets from various branches of the armed forces and combat arms to the Middle East. A fully-fledged joint force capable of conducting combat operations in all environments is being formed. Some details of this force have now become known from open publications and official statements.
Thus, one carrier strike group has been deployed to the Persian Gulf. Another is en route. The two groups include a pair of aircraft carriers with several dozen aircraft and helicopters. The carrier strike group also includes cruisers and destroyers armed with guided missiles, strike and anti-aircraft weapons. They are apparently accompanied by submarines, including those carrying cruise missiles.
Additional tactical air force units are being deployed to Middle Eastern air bases. aviationThey are equipped with various types of equipment, with a particular emphasis on modern F-35 fighter-bombers. This points to some peculiarities of the hypothetical airstrikes.
The Shahid Soleimani missile ship
There are also reports of a reinforcement of the American ground force. Of particular interest in this context is the possible deployment of additional air and missile defense systems. The US intends to protect its bases from Iranian missiles.
It's still unknown when exactly the operation against Iran might begin. Its possible design, the forces and resources allocated, and other specifics are also uncertain. However, it can be assumed that the Pentagon is planning full-scale strikes involving a combined force.
Naval defense
Iran's first lines of defense are located far from its territory—at sea. Using a variety of weapons, Iran can and must attack and destroy enemy forces far from its shores. This could have consequences beyond just military ones.
For years, Iranian command has been threatening to use naval mines in a crisis. Minefields could be deployed in various areas. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is the most prominent example. According to foreign estimates, the Iranian Navy could deploy approximately 5-6 mines. They would be laid by surface vessels and small submarines of various types.
Production of Fateh-110 missiles
Naval mines are intended to pose a threat to enemy ships. Enemy fleet will not be able to operate freely in certain areas. Furthermore, commercial shipping in the region will be effectively blocked. Inspecting and clearing potentially dangerous areas will require time and resources.
Iran also has the capability to attack enemy ships and vessels using anti-ship missiles. It has a wide range of such weapons with varying characteristics. Anti-ship missiles are used in coastal missile systems, on ships and boats, and on aircraft. According to various estimates, the Iranian armed forces can, at a minimum, employ up to several hundred missiles, which is sufficient to inflict significant damage on any naval group of a potential enemy.
Subsonic anti-ship missiles with a range of at least 250-300 km, such as the Noor, Kovsar, and Nasr, are widely available. An interesting development is the Khaleej-e Fars anti-ship ballistic missile, based on the Fateh-110 land-based munition. It is capable of striking targets at ranges of up to 300 km. Its characteristic trajectory and high impact velocity provide excellent combat performance.
Attack UAVs of various models can also be used to engage surface targets. Iran has been actively developing this capability and, according to various reports, is now capable of organizing massive air strikes using a range of aircraft types. Furthermore, UAVs can operate in conjunction with anti-ship missiles, which should overload Defense enemy and increase the likelihood of a successful breakthrough.
Reconnaissance and strike UAV "Ababil-2"
The Navy's submarine forces can contribute to the fight against maritime targets. They include several types of diesel-electric submarines. The core of these forces is three Russian-built Project 877 submarines. Iran has also built a fairly large fleet of small submarines. All such submarines carry torpedoes and can attack enemy ships and submarines.
Air defense
It's clear that at the outset of their operation, the United States will launch a massive strike using a wide range of airborne attack weapons. This will involve various types of cruise missiles, as well as aircraft and their weapons. Such an initial strike will be aimed at destroying the primary detection assets, command posts, and critical infrastructure of the Iranian armed forces.
Iran is aware of such threats and has long been preparing to counter them. It has now built a comprehensive and sophisticated air defense system. It comprises systems and components of its own design, as well as various imported models. Systems of all classes are represented, from short-range weapons to long-range missiles. Furthermore, a network of radars has been created to monitor the situation in dangerous regions, and communication and command and control systems have been deployed.
Target detection is carried out by various types of radars, from early warning systems to the radars installed on air defense missile systems. For example, fixed radars such as the Sepehr and Kadir are designed to detect air threats at ranges of 1000-1100 km. Depending on their type, anti-aircraft radars detect aerial targets at ranges of tens or hundreds of kilometers. Various electronic reconnaissance and passive location systems are also available.
Radar "Kadir"
There is also a layered interception system based on various missile and artillery systems and complexes. For example, targets at ranges of up to 250-300 km are engaged by the Russian-made S-300PMU2 and Iranian-made Bavar-373 systems. There are also a number of locally developed long- and medium-range air defense systems. The final line of air defense is artillery systems of various calibers and MANPADS, also widely represented in the troops.
Fighter aircraft should make some contribution to air defense. However, for obvious reasons, Iran cannot boast a large modern fleet of aircraft. The newest fighters in the Air Force are the Su-35, purchased several years ago. However, their numbers are still small, limiting their combat effectiveness.
Riposte
The crises of recent years have demonstrated that Iran has every capability to launch retaliatory strikes against enemy targets within its region. It can respond to an attack with the massive use of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as attack drones. Moreover, such capabilities have already been demonstrated in practice.
The missile forces are armed with a large number of systems of various classes, from tactical to medium-range. Hundreds of systems with different combat missions and assigned targets can be deployed simultaneously to launch sites across the country.
Iranian-developed Bavar-373 air defense missile system
Measures have been taken to protect missile systems from a first strike. A significant portion of them are housed in special underground structures. These tunnels and their exits are camouflaged, and decoys are deployed. All of this increases the likelihood of a successful response with the required quantitative indicators.
Using its existing missile systems, Iran can attack enemy targets up to 1500-2000 km from its borders. The ability to destroy various buildings and other objects has already been demonstrated. Iranian missiles may also be capable of striking hardened targets, including those buried underground.
Ready for an answer
Iran has been preparing to repel hypothetical American aggression since the late 1970s—a process that began almost immediately after the Islamic Revolution. Following this logic, in recent decades, the Iranian armed forces have developed or acquired a large number of diverse strike and defensive systems.
The situation in the region has deteriorated again, and the risk of a real conflict has resurfaced. Iran is prepared for such a scenario. Using its existing equipment, it can repel enemy attacks and inflict damage. Iranian command is counting on the US taking the existing threat into account and deeming such damage unacceptable. They will have to abandon their aggressive plans or face excessive losses.
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