The Role of Strategic Culture in Shaping Iran’s Cyber Defense Policy

Iranian identity is influenced by politics, history, religion, and geography, giving rise to Iran’s strategic culture. This culture combines a strong national pride and historical consciousness with values centered on resisting external influences. Ultimately, strategic culture has influenced the country’s cyber capabilities, which have significantly evolved since 2003, largely due to state investment and the establishment of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace in 2012. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) lead offensive cyber operations, making Iran’s cyber posture more aligned with larger state powers than typical small states. Leaked documents from the Iranian opposition disclosed that Iran has actively developed a comprehensive cyber defense framework over the past decade to protect its critical infrastructure, quell opposition, and control presumed harmful content to maintain regime stability. Despite these efforts, leaks from dissident groups have exposed persistent weaknesses in Iran’s cyber defense, highlighting challenges in infrastructure, threat monitoring, and organizational discipline. Moreover, these leaks reveal Iran’s strategic focus on self-reliance and resistance to foreign influence

Computer security · Political science · Self defense · Computer Science · Cybersecurity and Cyber Warfare Studies · Law · Public Administration · Security, Politics, and Digital Transformation

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