Iran's Military Might: Can it Challenge the US Amid Escalating Tensions?

• Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated following anti-Khamenei protests and threats of US airstrikes on Tehran.
• Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf have issued strong warnings, vowing harsh responses to any attack.
• Iran boasts a powerful military, ranked 16th globally, with 580,000 active personnel, 200,000 reserves, and the Basij militia.
• The country possesses a vast arsenal of long-range ballistic missiles, drones (like the Shahed), and anti-ship missiles capable of hitting targets across West Asia.
• Despite its strength, Iran's military lags behind the US and Israel in air force sophistication and modern equipment, though it has significant proxy forces.

Why It Matters: Iran's substantial military and proxy network pose a serious threat, despite technological gaps with the US.