Iranian Army

Details

Organization Timeline

Iran launches Operation Dezful

📅 15 October 1980

Iranian ground forces attempted to halt Iraqi advances west of Dezful and along the Karkheh River. The operation reflects the difficult first phase of defense, when Iranian units were reorganizing...

Operation Dezful ends without reversing the front

📅 20 October 1980

The Iranian effort to stop Iraqi forces around Dezful failed to produce a decisive reversal. The fighting exposed the cost of launching armor without adequate coordination and left Iran dependent on a...

Iran’s Operation Nasr counteroffensive ends near Susangerd

📅 11 January 1981

After the January 5 launch, the Iranian armored offensive was encircled and suffered heavy losses. The failure sharpened debate over military command and helped reveal the limits of early...

Montazeri urges reform of Iran’s war leadership

📅 7 October 1985

Hossein Ali Montazeri wrote to Khomeini criticizing the war’s costs and rivalry between the Army and Revolutionary Guards. He urged more coordinated leadership and greater attention to expert advice.

Rafsanjani receives authority to coordinate Iran’s armed forces

📅 2 June 1988

Khomeini gave Rafsanjani authority to coordinate the armed forces and unify wartime command and resources. The decree addressed Army, IRGC and Basij coordination amid Iran’s military setbacks.