As the nature of threats facing Iran shifts from conventional military confrontation toward hybrid, cognitive, and technology-driven warfare, senior Iranian military commanders are placing increasing emphasis on the development of emerging technologies as a central pillar of national defense.

Rapid advances in military and security technologies have accelerated a broader shift within Iran’s armed forces toward a knowledge-based defense capability. In this framework, technologies such as artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems, laser systems, and quantum technologies are increasingly viewed not as auxiliary tools, but as the foundation of a “smart power generation”—a concept intended to address both external threats and the long-term impact of international sanctions, while simultaneously reinforcing deterrence at the regional and global levels.

Within this context, Iran’s Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, underscored the strategic necessity of acquiring and indigenizing emerging power-enhancing technologies during a visit to Imam Hossein University earlier in December 17. He highlighted the institution’s role in training specialized human capital, producing indigenous knowledge, and aligning scientific research with the operational needs of the armed forces. Mousavi described the university as a model of a revolutionary-standard academic institution that integrates idealism with practicality, noting that future conflicts will be shaped primarily by technology and that neglecting this domain could impose irreversible costs.

This strategic outlook extends across multiple branches of Iran’s military structure. Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Force, has pointed to notable progress in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, unmanned systems, and laser-based capabilities, stating that Iran has reached a stage of effective operational power in these fields. According to him, such capabilities play a decisive role in countering hybrid, cognitive, and combined warfare approaches, which Iranian officials argue are being pursued by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran.

In the maritime domain, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, has identified artificial intelligence as a key driver of transformation in Iran’s naval power. Speaking at a national conference on maritime threats, he outlined four primary domains—unmanned surface vessels, drones, missiles, and submarines—as the main platforms for AI integration, emphasizing that future naval missions will be unattainable without intelligent and autonomous systems.

At the same time, Major General Amir Hatami, Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army, has described the development of deterrence-oriented technologies as a strategic imperative. In a message marking Research Week, he stressed that the armed forces are seeking technologies that clearly convey a message of readiness and strength to the adversaries. He also highlighted close cooperation with universities, scientific institutions, and knowledge-based companies as essential for overcoming constraints and sanctions, warning that falling behind in emerging technologies would increase vulnerability in future battlefields.

Air defense has likewise been identified as a critical component of this technology-centric doctrine. During a visit to the Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Headquarters, Iran’s Chief of the General Staff emphasized the continuous enhancement of air defense capabilities, attributing recent progress to synergy among scientists, defense industries, and operational forces. The expansion of networks for detection, monitoring, and forecasting technologically advanced threats was presented as part of a broader strategy to safeguard Iranian airspace against evolving challenges.

Taken together, these positions reflect the emergence of a coherent military doctrine within Iran’s armed forces—one that treats technology not as a supporting element, but as the core of deterrence. In the aftermath of recent regional developments and heightened tensions with the United States and the Israeli regime, Iran has increasingly sought to transform technological self-reliance into a strategic advantage, reframing the impact of sanctions as a catalyst for innovation.

Unmanned systems, intelligent platforms, and advanced technologies now form a central component of Iran’s defense architecture, enabling the country to exert greater influence in regional security dynamics with comparatively lower costs. Nevertheless, analysts note that financial constraints, international pressure, and the rapid pace of global technological change underscore the need for sustained innovation and long-term investment in research and development.

Overall, the emphasis placed by Iranian military leaders on power-generating technologies reflects a clear assessment of the future character of warfare—one in which superiority is determined less by troop numbers or traditional hardware, and more by technological intelligence, adaptability, and speed in responding to emerging threats.

DID