Israel Targets Iran's Basij Forces

What's happened

As of March 20, 2026, Israel and the US continue a nearly three-week airstrike campaign targeting Iran's paramilitary Basij and Revolutionary Guard forces, including the killing of Basij head Gholamreza Soleimani. Despite strikes on checkpoints and leadership, Iran's security forces maintain control amid intensified crackdowns and arrests, with no widespread uprising yet.

What's behind the headline?

Strategic Targeting of Iran's Internal Security Apparatus

Israel and the US have focused their air campaign on Iran's Basij militia and Revolutionary Guard, aiming to weaken the regime's domestic control mechanisms. The Basij's decentralized structure and ideological commitment make it resilient, limiting the impact of leadership decapitations like Soleimani's death.

Psychological and Operational Impact

Strikes on Basij checkpoints and leadership serve a dual purpose: degrading operational capacity and undermining morale to encourage defections or refusals to serve. However, the continued presence of armed checkpoints and security patrols indicates the regime's grip remains firm.

Civilian and Political Ramifications

The crackdown on protesters, arrests for sharing information, and internet blackouts highlight the regime's prioritization of control over public dissent. Israel's messaging to Basij families and calls for uprising have yet to materialize into widespread revolt, reflecting the complex social and political dynamics within Iran.

Forecast

The campaign will likely continue targeting paramilitary forces to erode the regime's enforcement capabilities. However, without significant internal dissent or defections, the regime's hold on power will persist in the near term. The risk of escalation remains high, with potential for increased civilian casualties and regional instability.

How we got here

Since February 28, 2026, Israel and the US have conducted joint airstrikes against Iran, aiming to dismantle the Islamic Republic's military and paramilitary capabilities. The Basij militia, part of the Revolutionary Guard, plays a key role in suppressing protests and enforcing regime loyalty. The campaign intensified after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Basij commander Soleimani.

Our analysis

Samuel Chamberlain of the NY Post reports that Ismail Ahmadi, a key Basij figure involved in suppressing protests, was killed alongside Soleimani, highlighting Israel's focus on leadership decapitation. The Times of Israel and The Independent provide detailed accounts of strikes on Basij checkpoints in Tehran, noting the proliferation of these checkpoints and the regime's continued control despite airstrikes. Sarah El Deeb of The Independent emphasizes the Basij's decentralized nature and ideological rigidity, suggesting leadership losses may have limited operational impact. Reuters reveals the use of informants to identify Basij checkpoint locations, underscoring the intelligence dimension of the campaign. Maziar Motamedi at Al Jazeera offers insight into Iran's internal security response, including armed patrols and public threats against protesters, while also noting Israeli efforts to encourage defections through messaging to Basij families. These sources collectively illustrate a complex conflict where military strikes, intelligence operations, and psychological warfare intersect amid ongoing repression and civilian hardship.

Go deeper

• What is the Basij militia and its role in Iran?
• How have the airstrikes affected civilian life in Tehran?
• What are the chances of an uprising in Iran following these strikes?

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