Iran’s naval commander, Shahram Irani, claims the military has the capacity to safeguard the country's land, sea, and aerial borders amid Iran’s shadow war with Israel and the US.

"The army, relying on the capabilities of domestic experts, is fully capable of securing the country's maritime, terrestrial, and aerial boundaries," Irani stated on Saturday.

He also stressed on the importance of securing Iran’s regime amid the ongoing uprising, a task he described as “significant that must be pursued by all armed forces at every level.”

Despite claims of progress in domestic military technology, a notable gap persists between Iran's capabilities and those of technologically advanced nations, potentially exposing it to vulnerabilities in modern warfare, including cyber threats.

Last month, Israel and a US-led coalition intercepted the majority of an onslaught of 350 or more drones and missiles in Iran’s first direct attack on Israel.

Domestically, Iran’s government is facing a legitimacy crisis. Iran continues to grapple with internal unrest, economic hardship, widespread corruption, and social restrictions which have sparked widespread protests since 2022.

Regionally, Iran's funding of proxy groups has seen much needed funding diverted from Iran to its militias abroad.