Intelligence Report · Iran Regional Operations
Iran's Shadow Network
Military Proxy Operations
Across the Arab World
Comprehensive open-source analysis of the IRGC's regional proxy architecture — tracking armed groups, operational theaters, funding flows, and escalation patterns from Yemen to Lebanon.
7Active Proxy Groups
6Countries Affected
$2B+Est. Annual Funding
40+Years of Ops
01
Active Proxy Forces
Lebanon
Hezbollah
100K+FIGHTERS
1982FOUNDED
~$900MIRAN FUNDING/YR
Yemen
Houthis (Ansar Allah)
200K+FIGHTERS
2004FOUNDED
~$300MIRAN FUNDING/YR
Iraq
Kataib Hezbollah
10K+FIGHTERS
2007FOUNDED
~$80MIRAN FUNDING/YR
Iraq
Asaib Ahl al-Haq
10K+FIGHTERS
2006FOUNDED
~$50MIRAN FUNDING/YR
Syria
Syrian Forces + IRGC
70K+IRGC-BACKED
2012DEPLOYMENT
~$70MIRAN FUNDING/YR
Gaza / Palestine
Hamas + PIJ
40K+FIGHTERS
1987FOUNDED
~$100MIRAN FUNDING/YR
02
Operational Data
Est. Annual IRGC Funding per Proxy
Attack Typology 2019–2025
03
Geographic Footprint
IRGC Proxy Theater — Middle East & Red Sea
Iran/IRGC
Hezbollah
Houthis
PMF/Iraq
IRGC Syria
Hamas/PIJ
04
Key Operations Timeline
1982
Hezbollah Founded — Lebanon
IRGC deploys to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah becomes Iran's first major proxy, establishing the template for the regional network.
2014–2015
Houthi Takeover of Sanaa
Houthis seize Yemen's capital with Iranian support. Iran deepens the relationship, supplying ballistic missiles and drone technology.
2019
Abqaiq–Khurais Drone Strike
Sophisticated attack on Saudi Aramco knocks out ~5% of global oil supply. US attributes to Iran; Houthis claim responsibility.
Jan 2020
Soleimani Killed — Baghdad
US airstrike kills IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani, the architect of Iran's entire proxy network across the region.
Oct 2023
Hamas October 7 Attack
Hamas launches largest-ever assault on Israel killing ~1,200 people. Iran's decade of investment in training and weapons reaches inflection point.
2023–2024
Red Sea Shipping Disruption
Houthis launch sustained anti-ship campaign forcing major shipping lines to reroute around Africa, disrupting global trade.
Apr 2024
Iran Direct Strike on Israel
First-ever direct Iranian strike on Israeli territory — 300+ drones, ballistic and cruise missiles. Historic escalation from shadow to open conflict.
Escalation by Year
Primary Targets
05
Current Threat Assessment
| Actor | Theater | Capability | Activity | Threat | IRGC Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hezbollah | Lebanon / N. Israel | Precision Missiles, Drones | Rebuilding post-2024 | CRITICAL | Direct / Deep |
| Houthis | Yemen / Red Sea | Anti-Ship Drones, Ballistic | Active — Red Sea | CRITICAL | Weapons Supply |
| Kataib Hezbollah | Iraq / Syria | Drones, Rockets, IEDs | Elevated | HIGH | Direct Command |
| Hamas | Gaza / West Bank | Rockets, Tunnels | Post-Oct 7 | HIGH | Indirect Arms |
| IRGC Direct | Syria, Iraq, Iran | Missiles, Drones, Cyber | Apr 2024 strike | CRITICAL | Origin Force |
| Asaib AH | Iraq | Drones, Rockets | Monitoring | MEDIUM | PMF Integrated |
06
Military Capabilities
🚀 Missile Arsenal
Fateh-110 / M-600
Range: 300km · Precision guided · 500kg warhead
Zelzal-2
Range: 200km · Unguided · 600kg warhead
Shahed-136 (Kamikaze)
Range: 2,500km · Loitering munition · GPS guided
Kornet AT Missile
Range: 5.5km · Laser-guided · Tandem warhead
⚓ Naval & Air Defense
C-802 Anti-Ship Missile
Range: 120km · Subsonic · Radar-guided
SA-7/14/18 MANPADS
Shoulder-fired · Effective ceiling 4,500m
Total Stockpile
150,000+ projectiles estimated
150K+Projectiles
300kmMax Range
100K+Fighters
Tier 1Actor Rating
🚀 Ballistic Missiles
Burkan-3 (Volcano)
Range: 1,500km · Covers Saudi Arabia & Israel
Quds-1 Cruise Missile
Range: 900km+ · Terrain-hugging · Radar-evading
Shahed-136 / Samad-3
Range: 1,500–2,500km · One-way attack drone
⚓ Naval Capabilities
Kamikaze Boat Drones (USV)
500kg explosive · GPS guided · Anti-ship
Sayyad Anti-Ship Missile
Range: 300km · Active radar seeker
Red Sea Disruption
100+ vessels attacked or threatened
1,500kmMax Missile Range
100+Ships Attacked
200K+Fighters
Bab el-MandebChokepoint
✈️ Drone Arsenal
Shahed-136 (Supplied)
Range: 2,500km · Used vs US bases in Iraq/Syria
Delta-Wing Kamikazes
Low-radar-signature · Swarm tactics
Katyusha 107/122mm
Range: 8–40km · Widely proliferated
🎯 Documented Attacks
US Bases in Iraq/Syria
170+ attacks on US forces since Oct 2023
Tower 22 Strike (Jordan)
Jan 2024 · 3 US soldiers killed · Major escalation
170+US Attacks
20K+Fighters
Iraq+SyriaTheater
PMF LawState Status
🚀 Rocket Systems
Fajr-5 (Iran-supplied)
Range: 75km · 175kg warhead · Reaches Tel Aviv
M-302 / Khaibar-1
Range: 160km · 170kg warhead
Qassam (Local)
Range: 3–17km · Homemade steel pipe rockets
🕳️ Tunnel & Anti-Tank
Gaza Tunnel System
500km+ · Weapons storage · Command bunkers
Kornet AT (Supplied)
Anti-tank guided missile · Effective vs Merkava
500km+Tunnels
160kmMax Range
40K+Fighters
$100M+Iran Aid/Yr
🚀 Ballistic Missiles
Fateh-313 / Zolfaghar
Range: 700km · CEP <10m · Used Apr 2024
Fattah-1 (Hypersonic)
Range: 1,400km · Mach 15 · Maneuvering warhead
Shahab-3 / Emad
Range: 1,700km · 1,000kg warhead · Precision
💻 Cyber & Nuclear
APT33 / Elfin (Shamoon)
Destructive malware · Saudi Aramco, US targets
APT34 / OilRig
Espionage · Gulf governments, Israel
Uranium Enrichment
60–84% enriched · Breakout ~2 weeks (est. 2025)
3,000+Missiles
2,500kmDrone Range
~2wksNuclear Breakout
APT33/34Cyber Units
07
Strike Intelligence Feed
HOUTHISMar 14, 2026🚢 NAVAL
Anti-ship ballistic missile fired at commercial vessel in Red Sea
Houthi forces launched a ballistic missile targeting a container ship southeast of Aden. Vessel sustained minor damage. US Navy destroyer responded but did not intercept in time.
PMF / IRAQMar 11, 2026✈️ DRONE
Drone swarm targets US logistics base in eastern Syria
Kataib Hezbollah claimed a coordinated drone attack on Al-Omar oil field base. Two US contractors injured. Mix of commercial drones and Iranian-supplied Shahed variants.
HEZBOLLAHMar 9, 2026🚀 MISSILE
Precision missile fired at IDF surveillance position — Mount Dov
Hezbollah fired a Falaq-1 rocket at Israeli outpost on northern border. Iron Dome intercepted. Precision missile stockpile rebuilding ongoing post-2024 ceasefire.
IRGCFeb 28, 2026💻 CYBER
APT33 cyber operation targets Israeli water infrastructure
Iranian-linked APT33 executed intrusion attempt against water treatment facilities in northern Israel. Detected and contained by INCD. Third such attempt in six months.
HAMASFeb 18, 2026💣 IED
IED ambush on IDF patrol — Northern Gaza
Al-Qassam Brigades claimed IED attack on Israeli armored patrol in Jabaliya. Two IDF soldiers wounded. Demonstrates continued capability despite sustained pressure.