The United States and Iran occupy very different positions in the global military ranking. According to the Global Firo Index of 2025, the US occupies the first 145 countries, while Iran ranks 16th.
This shows that the US has the most powerful military in the world, while Iran remains a strong regional power.
While the US and Iran have long had a tense relationship, their military capabilities play a significant role in the formation of geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.
In this article, we will take a look at how the two countries compare themselves in terms of manpower, air force, land and naval force and defence budgets. This information was sourced from Global Firepower Index and Armed Forces.eu.
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Comparing US vs Iran Military Power (2025)
Out of the 145 powerful countries in the world, the US stands at the top of the podium (ranking 1st) with an incredible power index of 0.0744.
On the other hand, Iran ranks in 16th place with a power index of 0.3048. Let’s get in deep and take a look at its man, naval and land and air military strength.
| Category | United States | Iran |
| Manpower | X | ✓ |
| Airpower | ✓ | X |
| Land Power | ✓ | X |
| Naval Power | ✓ | X |
| Natural Resources | ✓ | X |
| Financials | X | ✓ |
| Logistics | ✓ | X |
| Geography | X | ✓ |
1) US vs Iran: Manpower
With a total population of more than 341 million, the United States has a large pool of available labour (150 million) and individuals suitable for service (124 million), far exceeding Iran's approximately 88 million total population, 49 million available labour and 41.5 million suitable for service.
Every year, the U.S. sees more people reaching military age (4.4 million) compared to Iran (1.4 million). When it comes to active forces, the United States has 1,328 million personnel, significantly more than Iran's 610,000.
This difference extends to reserve personnel, with the United States at 799,500 and Iran at 350,000. Interestingly, Iran maintains a remarkable paramilitary power of 220,000, while the United States shows none in this specific comparison.
2) US vs Iran: Financials
The U.S. possesses an overwhelmingly large defence budget of $895 billion, ranking first globally, reflecting its massive investment in military capabilities. In stark contrast, Iran's defence budget is considerably smaller at $15.45 billion.
While the U.S. carries a substantial external debt of over $22.3 trillion, its foreign reserves are robust at $773.426 billion. Iran, on the other hand, has a much lower external debt of approximately $4.13 billion but also a smaller foreign reserve of $120.6 billion.
Economically, the U.S. boasts immense purchasing power exceeding $24.6 trillion, ranking second worldwide. Iran's purchasing power is significantly less, at $1.44 trillion. These figures underscore the vast financial resources available to the U.S. military compared to Iran's.
3) US vs Iran: Air Power
The US commands a massive fleet of 13,041,561 aircraft, while Iran has 561. This domain extends to specialised papers, with the US having 1,790, Iran 188 hunting aircraft and an impressive 889 attack aircraft compared to Iran's mere 21.
Support resources also strongly favour the US, with 918 transport, 2,647 coaches and 647 special mission aircraft, significantly exceeding the respective numbers of 87, 103 and 10.
In the helicopter domain, the US has 5,843 helicopters, including 1,002 attack helicopters, greatly exceeding 128 Iranian helicopters and the limit of 13 attack helicopters. These data show a clear image of the overwhelming American air superiority.
4) US vs Iran: Land Power
In land-based military capabilities, the United States usually has a significant quantitative advantage over Iran. The US has a much larger fleet than the 4,640 tanks compared to 1,713 from Iran, and its armoured vehicle inventory is immense, with 391,963 units against 65,825 from Iran.
For artillery, the US has more self-propelled units (671 vs. 392). However, Iran shows a remarkable force in the towed artillery, with 2,070 units against the US 1,212, suggesting confidence in these simpler systems.
In addition, Iran demonstrates a distinct focus on rocket artillery, with 1,517 substantial mobile rocket projectors, surpassing the US number of 841. This highlights Iran's strategic emphasis on long-range rocket capabilities within its land forces.
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5) US vs Iran: Naval Power
The United States has a predominantly higher naval fleet, with 440 ships compared to Iran's 107. This domain is underlined by the 11 US -operating aircraft and 9 carriers of helicopters, absence in Iran.
In the submarine war, the US maintains significant leadership with 70 submarines against Iran's 25. The US also has 81 destroyers, while Iran has none in this category.
Iran's naval strategy, however, emphasises smaller and agile vessels. It operates 7 frigates (compared to 0 for the US in this specific comparison) and 3 corvettes (the US has 26).
Notably, Iran has 21 patrol ships, suggesting a focus on coastal defence, a category in which the US is listed with 0. Finally, the US has 8 larger ships for Iran's 1.
6) US vs Iran: Logistics
The United States has a much higher logistics capacity compared to Iran, which is crucial for military operations and national support. The US benefits from an extensive network of 15,673 airports, ensuring unmatched air mobility, while Iran has only 173.
In maritime transport, the US Merchant Marine comprises 3,533 vessels with access to 566 ports and terminals, significantly surpassing the 965 ships of Iran and 18 ports. This disparity dramatically affects implementation and global supply.
In addition, the US has a huge workforce of 170.5 million, providing a deep pool for logistics and supporting functions compared to Iran's 29.159 million.
The earthly infrastructure also highlights this gap, with the US having 6.5 million km of roads and 293,564 km of railroads, greatly exceeding 223,493 km of Iran and 8,484 km of railways. This comprehensive infrastructure offers the US an undeniable logistics advantage.
7) US vs Iran: Natural Resources
With 248,941 billion barrels, the United States has the largest coal reserves verified worldwide and is also the leading producer of gross oil (20,879 million barrels per day) and natural gas (1.029 trillion barrels of equivalent oil). Its charcoal production – 548.849 million barrels of equivalent oil – is also noteworthy.
Iran's large oil reserves (208.8 billion barrels, 3rd in the world) and large verified natural gas reserves (33,987 trillion barrels of equivalent oil, 2nd globally) highlight its long-term energy prospects.
Although Iran is a significant oil producer (3.965 million barrels per day) and natural gas (263.28 billion barrels of oil), their consumption rates for both are lower than US coal reserves and production in Iran.
8) US vs Iran: Geography
Geographically, the United States has a significant advantage over Iran and offers greater strategic depth and global reach. The United States covers 9,833,517 km², significantly greater than 1,648,195 km² of Iran.
While the United States has a longer limit (12,002 km), mainly with stable neighbours, Iran's 5,894 km border usually borders politically volatile regions, affecting safety concerns.
The United States has a comprehensive coastline of 19,924 km, providing tremendous, crucial oceanic access to its powerful marine economy.
The 2,440 km from Costa do Iran, especially along the Gulf of Persia and the Caspian Sea, are regionally important but offer less global projection.
Finally, the United States comes out with an impressive 41,009 km of navigable roads for interior transport and surpasses the limited 850 km from Iran, far away.
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