Artesh

Artesh is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts depending on the context. In ancient Persian mythology, Artash is sometimes associated with the concept of fire or divine power, though its usage is not as widespread as other deities or mythological figures.

More commonly, Artesh refers to the Iranian Army. It is the land warfare branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces. The Artesh's origins trace back to the Pahlavi dynasty and the establishment of a professional military force in the early 20th century. Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the Artesh underwent significant restructuring. It operates alongside the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), another branch of Iran's military, though their roles and responsibilities have sometimes been a subject of discussion and redefinition. The Artesh is responsible for defending Iran's borders and territorial integrity, and its structure includes various combat divisions, logistical units, and specialized forces. Its equipment is a mix of domestically produced systems and older, pre-revolution era hardware, with ongoing efforts towards modernization.