By Pishtaz | 2026-03-21

Once seen as a national force, Iran's Artesh has remained largely silent, leaving citizens questioning whether it will defend the people or uphold the regime.

During nationwide protests in early 2026, sparked by economic hardship and political unrest, the Artesh was largely absent from the frontline.

The vast majority of violence was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Basij units and affiliated paramilitaries rather than regular army forces.

This absence left many protesters, particularly youth and dissidents, with a sense of abandonment.

Those who hoped the Artesh might intervene against oppressive forces harming their families often interpreted the army's neutrality not as restraint but as failure to act.

In contrast, the IRGC and Basij were visibly engaged in suppressing demonstrations, highlighting a sharp divide between the institutions.

Limited roles

The Artesh predates the 1979 Islamic Revolution and has historically focused on defending Iran's borders rather than advancing political or ideological agendas.

Unlike the ideologically driven IRGC and Basij force, the Artesh has traditionally been seen by many Iranians as a more neutral institution.

While not entirely sidelined, the Artesh was sometimes deployed in support roles, such as guarding key infrastructure, which allowed the IRGC to conduct street crackdowns.

The regime avoids using the regular army for internal repression because its personnel lack both crowd control training and ideological cohesion.

Even these limited roles eroded public trust, as any cooperation with the regime's security apparatus, however indirect, was viewed as complicity in repression.

Abandonment and public fear

Discontent has also emerged within the Islamic Republic's military, as some personnel question orders and the regime's direction.

Multiple reports indicate that some commanders in both the Artesh and IRGC abandoned their posts, fearing personal targeting or refusing to follow extreme orders.

Social media content from inside Iran suggests increasing desertions among Artesh soldiers, motivated less by fear and more by moral rejection of the regime's violence.

Such narratives have spread widely in civilian discourse and further undermined confidence in the Artesh.

Many Iranians view national institutions as offering no clear path to safety or a peaceful future, and the Artesh's silence deepens their sense of abandonment.

Historically, many Iranians hoped the Artesh could act as a counterweight to the IRGC, potentially defecting during a mass uprising to protect civilians.

Today, this hope remains uncertain, as many Iranians continue to question whether the Artesh will act to protect the people.

If protests reach January 2026 levels, scholars debate whether the Artesh would break with the regime.

Such action could accelerate regime collapse but might also provoke direct conflict with the IRGC.