The General Staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces is the most senior military body of Iranian Armed Forces. Its responsibility is to implement policy, monitor and coordinate activities between the Islamic Republic of Iran Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Function Iran's two separate military forces, the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are subordinate to the General Staff, as well as Iran's national police force, the Police Command.

The general staff was set up in 1989 to enhance cooperation and counterbalance the rivalry between the armed forces and is directly decreed by Supreme Leader of Iran, while the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics, responsible for planning, logistics and funding of the armed forces is part of the executive branch under the President of Iran.

The position of chief of the general staff is currently held by Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi.

Passive Defence and Cyberwarfare

The National Organization for Passive Defense also reports to the Armed Forces General Staff.

It has been reported that Iran is one of the five countries that has a cyber-army capable of conducting cyber-warfare operations. It has also been reported that Iran has immensely increased its cyberwarfare capability since the post presidential election un-rest. In 2010, China accused the United States of having initiated a cyber war against Iran through websites such as Twitter and YouTube in addition to employing a hacker brigade for the purpose of fomenting unrest in Iran.

In early 2010, two new garrisons for cyberwarfare were established at Zanjan and Isfahan.BBC فارسی – ايران – قرارگاه های 'جنگ نرم' در اصفهان و زنجان راه اندازی شد . Bbc.co.uk (1970-01-01). Retrieved 2014-06-09. As of 2024, Iran's cyber activities have become more sophisticated, engaging in a persistent cyber struggle with Israel that focuses on espionage, information warfare, and attempts to target critical infrastructure, although Israel maintains a technological edge.

List of chiefs

Timeline

List of deputy chiefs

Timeline

See also

Joint Staff of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Joint Staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army

Notes

References