A new comparison of military strength between the United States and Iran in 2025 shows just how wide the gap is between the two countries.
Using data from the Global Firepower Index, the numbers clearly show that the U.S. holds overwhelming military superiority.
Defense Spending and Manpower
The United States leads with a massive $895 billion defense budget, while Iran spends about $15.4 billion—58 times less.
The U.S. military also has over 2.1 million total personnel (active and reserve), compared to Iran’s 960,000.
Firepower and Technology
The U.S. dominates in every major military category:
- Aircraft Fighters: 1,790 (US) vs. 188 (Iran)
- Attack Helicopters: 1,002 (US) vs. 13 (Iran)
- Tanks: 4,640 (US) vs. 1,713 (Iran)
- Aircraft Carriers: 11 (US) vs. 0 (Iran)
- Submarines: 70 (US) vs. 25 (Iran)
The U.S. also has over 5,200 nuclear warheads, while Iran has none.
Regional vs Global Reach
Iran has a strong regional military presence, relying on tactics like drone warfare and proxy forces. But the U.S. has global reach thanks to its aircraft carriers, advanced air force, and international alliances.
With a Global Firepower Index rank of 1st for the U.S. (0.0744) and 16th for Iran (0.3048), the difference in strength is clear.
