Inside Iran's Mosaic Defense: How Tehran Prepares for War Without a Center

• Israeli strikes hit Tehran fuel depots on March 8, 2026, causing "black rain" and casualties, but Iran's defense strategy remains resilient.
• Iran's "Mosaic Defense" is a decentralized military framework designed to operate independently even if central command is destroyed.
• Each of Iran's 31 provincial IRGC commanders has autonomous weapons, logistics, intelligence, and Basij militias, trained for independent decisions.
• The strategy, formalized in 2009 by IRGC Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari, ensures continuity with named successors down three ranks.
• Operational examples include "Smart Control" exercises in the Strait of Hormuz and distributed coastal units, demonstrating resilience despite strikes.