According to Iranian press reports, the authorities of the country are observing a significant increase in applications from young people wishing to join the ranks of the "Basij," the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the army to participate in combat operations.
The total strength of the Iranian armed forces, including the regular army (Artesh) and the IRGC, is about 610,000 to 860,000 active military personnel. The IRGC, which is an elite unit, comprises approximately 150,000 to 190,000 personnel, including air, ground, and naval forces.
The "Basij" militia, which is part of the IRGC, has around 90,000 active members and can mobilize up to 10 million people, indicating a significant reserve.
According to The Wall Street Journal on March 26, a possible ground operation by the U.S. in Iran could begin soon. The source does not specify exact timelines but reports on the views of several Republicans in Congress, including the chairs of the armed services committees.
The Pentagon has ordered the deployment of about 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East.
Three days ago, the Israeli government confirmed its decision to call up to 400,000 reservists in response to military actions against Iran and "Hezbollah," as reported by The Times of Israel, citing a statement from the Israel Defense Forces.
