The Iranian navy has a significant strategic presence due to Iran's extensive coastline of 2,400 kilometers, allowing oversight of crucial maritime corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global oil and gas supplies. The need to build a robust navy has become a strategic imperative for Iran, especially given that about 27% of the world's oil supplies and 22% of gas flows transit through this narrow passage. Historically, the evolution of Iran's naval military doctrine has seen a transition from reliance on traditional fleets to adopting a more complex and intertwined model of asymmetric maritime warfare.

Since the 1979 Revolution, the Iranian government's approach to naval operations has shifted significantly. The revolutionaries perceived their maritime boundaries as potential weaknesses that could be exploited by the United States for direct action. This perception was reinforced during the 'Tanker War' in the 1980s, where Iran's naval capabilities were tested against both Iraqi forces and U.S. naval power. This conflict illuminated the vulnerabilities of the Iranian navy and led to a harsh lesson when the U.S. executed Operation 'Praying Mantis,' which resulted in significant damage to the Iranian fleet and highlighted Tehran's inability to match Western naval forces.

As a consequence of these historical military engagements, Iran's naval doctrine has undergone a profound transformation focused on asymmetric warfare, aiming to exploit innovative tactics and leverage regional influence rather than engage in direct, conventional naval confrontations. This shift underscores the broader strategic challenges Iran faces in safeguarding its maritime interests against greater Western naval power, specifically the United States.