Tensions Peak Between Israel and Iran: Whose Military is More Powerful? A Comparison of Their Weaponry and Forces

Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated dramatically, reaching a boiling point. On Friday, Israel launched a large-scale missile attack on Iran, causing significant damage. In response, Iran has vowed retaliation, raising fears that the ongoing conflict may soon spiral into a full-scale war. The standoff has once again pushed the Middle East to the brink, with increasing speculation about potential U.S. involvement.

The hostilities between the two nations have been simmering for a long time, and both have been preparing for possible war. Here's a comparative overview of the military strength of Israel and Iran:

Iran’s Military Power

On paper, Iran appears to have the upper hand in terms of numbers. With a population of approximately 88 million and a land area of 1.6 million square kilometers (about 618,000 square miles), Iran dwarfs Israel, which has a population of 9 million and a land area of just 22,000 square kilometers (8,500 square miles). However, in military terms, these numbers don't necessarily translate into greater strength. Iran’s military is divided between its regular armed forces—responsible for defending the country's borders and conducting conventional military operations—and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which includes elite units such as the Quds Force, strategic missile command, and cyber forces.

Regular forces: Approximately 600,000 troops with standard military equipment.
IRGC: Around 200,000 personnel operating in various divisions.

However, Iran’s military and its proxy networks have suffered heavy setbacks in recent months due to Israeli and U.S. military operations.

Iran’s Military Equipment

Iran's arsenal is a mix of aging Soviet-era hardware and U.S.-supplied equipment from before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. More recently, Russia has supplied additional weapons.

Aircraft: Around 350 aircraft, but mostly outdated and inferior in both quantity and quality compared to Israel.

Drones: Iran has invested heavily in UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), including the Shahed attack drones, which have been sold in large numbers to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.

Security for Iran’s top military commanders remains a major vulnerability. Several high-ranking officials, including IRGC commander General Hossein Salami and Chief of Staff General Mohammad Bagheri, were reportedly killed in Israeli strikes in Tehran. Iran has also lost key nuclear scientists and other senior commanders in recent attacks.

Israel’s Military Strength

Despite its smaller size and population, Israel possesses a highly advanced and capable military. Its strength is further bolstered by the backing of the United States, Europe, and other powerful allies.

Active personnel: About 170,000 troops.
Reservists: Around 400,000.

While smaller in numbers compared to Iran, Israel’s forces are technologically superior and better trained for sustained combat.

In a potential retaliation scenario, Iran could launch hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel. However, it remains unclear how long Iran could maintain such a campaign. A large-scale Iranian missile strike on Israel in October 2024 resulted in limited damage, thanks to Israel’s robust defense systems.

Israel’s Air and Ground Capabilities

Aircraft: 612 total aircraft, including 241 fighter jets and 146 helicopters (48 of which are attack helicopters)

Ground forces: 1,370 tanks, 43,407 armored vehicles, 650 self-propelled artillery units, 150 rocket artillery systems