Iranian Naval Forces; A Tale of Two Navies

42, [2] pages, including covers. Poster inside back cover. Cover has slight wear and soiling. Iran's defense strategists recognize the growing importance of the maritime environment and are shaping its naval forces to secure Tehran's interests accordingly. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) emphasizes an asymmetric doctrine to ensure national security in the Persian Gulf against regional neighbors and foreign presence. The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN), dubbed by the Supreme Leader as a strategic force, employs a more conventional doctrine and focuses on forward presence and naval diplomacy. Its mission areas include the Caspian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and out-of-area operations. Both navies have considerable equities and are well positioned to influence and leverage the Strait of Hormuz; a vital chokepoint for the flow of resources and international commerce. During Iran's navies have been supplemented by its other military branches through acquisition of air-launched cruise missiles and antiship ballistic missiles. These developments are a clear indication that Iran understands the growing importance of controlling the maritime environment in its security calculus. Over the past several years, Iran staged a major naval exercise that blatantly featured attacks directed against a mock-up of a U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Iran also employed its navies in an attempt to reinforce Huthi rebels in Yemen and to interdict the merchant vessel Maersk Tigris in the Strait of Hormuz. Each of these events serves as a reminder that Iran's navies are capable of churning the waters of the Persian Gulf and beyond. As Iran continues to hone its naval strategy and modernize its respective fleets, this capability will only improve, creating greater challenges to security in an already security-challenged region. Presumed First Edition, First printing thus (update of 2009 publication).…