By Pishtaz | 2026-03-12

The Iranian military landscape remains defined by a deep rivalry between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the regular army, known as the Artesh.

While the IRGC functions as the ideological protector of the regime, the Artesh is tasked with the traditional defense of national borders.

This parallel structure was intentionally designed after the 1979 Revolution to ensure no single military entity could successfully launch a domestic coup.

However, this systemic division has fostered decades of resentment rooted in unequal funding and the superior political influence granted to the IRGC.

The IRGC continues to receive the newest equipment while the Artesh often relies on outdated technology from the previous century's inventory.

Operation Epic Fury exposes internal fractures

The recent initiation of Operation Epic Fury by the United States and Israel has placed unprecedented strain on this fragile and competitive security relationship.

Reports from early March 2026 suggest the IRGC has tightened its grip on strategic decision-making while the Artesh faces increasing marginalization.

The IRGC Intelligence Protection Organization recently issued stern directives threatening severe punishment for any military personnel who display signs of internal resistance.

These warnings are largely seen as an attempt to prevent the Artesh from splintering as the regime faces external military pressure.

High-ranking IRGC commanders reportedly distrust their Artesh counterparts, fearing that regular soldiers may prioritize the nation over the current clerical leadership.

This atmosphere of suspicion has led to restricted communications between the two branches during critical phases of the ongoing military operations.

Defections and disillusionment within the regular army

Current intelligence and regional analysts indicate a significant shift in morale among the rank-and-file soldiers within the regular army since the conflict intensified.

There are growing reports of Artesh members abandoning their assigned posts to return home and stand in solidarity with the Iranian people.

This wave of desertion reflects a long-standing grievance regarding the IRGC's dominance and the regime's perceived disregard for the regular soldier's welfare.

If these defections continue to accelerate, the Islamic Republic may face a critical internal security crisis that undermines its defense capabilities.

The widening gap between these two forces suggests that the Artesh may no longer be willing to serve as a secondary tier.

Many analysts believe the regular army identifies more closely with the civilian population than with the elite status of the IRGC.