U.S. Army Releases Recognition Guide for Iranian Soldiers Amid Ongoing Conflict

• •The U.S. Army released a recognition guide for Iranian soldiers on September 24, 2026.
• •The guide aims to assist U.S. soldiers in identifying the Artesh, Iran's regular armed forces.
• •The ongoing conflict with Iran has lasted nearly eight months, involving air and drone warfare.

The U.S. Army has published a new poster aimed at helping soldiers identify Iranian military personnel, specifically those from the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (Artesh). This guide, released on September 24, 2026, comes as the U.S. engages in an ongoing conflict with Iran that has lasted nearly eight months, primarily involving air and drone strikes. The poster features a bearded soldier in various camouflage uniforms and outlines the types of weapons he may carry, including rifles and grenades. While the guide does not imply an imminent ground invasion, it reflects the Army's preparation for potential escalations, such as securing Iranian oil facilities. The Artesh, a conscript force of approximately 350,000, faces challenges such as low morale and inadequate supplies, which have been reported by various sources. The guide is part of a broader library of recognition materials for different nations' armed forces, including China. The focus on the Artesh rather than the more prominent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) highlights the U.S. Army's strategic considerations in the region.