June 20, 2025
For the first time ever, the Islamic Republic has announced it has sent some military personnel to staff UN peacekeeping operations, although most of the operations the military named no longer exist.
Iran said it has not sent armed ground troops to patrol troubled parts of the world, but rather officers who will help manage troops. The officers are from Iran’s regular Army, not from the Pasdaran.
In a ceremony June 1, Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari, commander of the Iranian Army Ground Forces, announced the deployment of 21 Iranian military officers to international peacekeeping missions in four African nations—Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Mali.
A check of the website of the UN peacekeeping program shows the UN currently has 11 peacekeeping operations around the world, including one in Sudan, named by General Heidari. But the website says its Army says it makes some officers UN peacekeepers. The peacekeeping operation in Mali ended in 2023 and the one in Ethiopia and Eritrea ended in 2008.
General Heidari said that 40 officers from the Army Ground Forces have completed advanced peacekeeping courses in Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, and India. These programs, designed to meet UN standards, are part of a plan to prepare Iranian forces for expanded participation in international missions.
He said Iran is not only ready to send officers as individuals, but is also prepared to deploy a full battalion, if requested by the United Nations. The size of a battalion varies widely, depending on how many companies are assigned to one, but can range from a few hundred troops to more than a thousand.
Heidari said NEZAJA (Iranian Army Ground Forces) considers itself deeply committed to establishing sustainable peace. “Our view of peace is not merely the absence of war,” he said, “but the promotion of stability, justice and prosperity for all nations.”
The general said Iran’s contribution to UN peacekeeping operations can include combat troops, humanitarian and medical teams, trainers, drone operators and technical experts—all committed to restoring order in war-torn areas.
