Uniform Insignia and Patches of the IRIA

Uniform Insignia and Patches of the IRIA

**Note: When talking about positioning of patches on the uniform, the cited positions are better thought of as general guidelines rather then hard and fast rules. If you see a patch that you think should be in one position and it's in another, more then likely the individual soldier just sewed it on wrong.***

Symbol of the Artesh

(Danilo Matz)

Main emblem of the regular armed forces, including the IRIA, IRIAF, IRIN, and IRIADF. Features crossed swords, a bird taking flight, a stylized "Allah". Typically worn as a patch on the right breast pocket on field uniform, or as a pin in the same position on a dress uniform. Also found on caps.








Symbol of the Army

(Danilo Matz)

Emblem of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, the patch features a helmet in front of a large stylized "Allah" which is backed by the Iranian flag. Typically worn on the upper left sleeve above rank insignia or sleeve pocket, and below shoulder tabs.










77th Mechanized Infantry Division

(Mehr)

While not positively the 77th MID emblem, the positioning of this patch on the upper right sleeve on soldiers from Mashhad would seem to indicate it. Not definitive shapes except what might be a mosque dome can be discerned.





65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade

(Unknown)

The emblem of the famous 65th NOHED/SF brigade features a green parachute canopy combined with a swept back wing and dagger with a bow and arrow in the background. It is worn on the upper right sleeve of the green-dominant safariflage uniforms used by the 65th.








55th Airborne Brigade

(Unknown)

The emblem of the 55th paratrooper/airborne brigade based out of Shiraz features two outswept wings flanking an outline of Iran combined with a parachute canopy. The lettering beneath it reads: "Teep 55 Havabord", or, "55th airborne brigade. The patch is worn on the upper right sleeve above rank insignia but below shoulder tabs.








25th Independent Commando Bridade

(Pedram)

Not much is known about the 25th independent commando brigade that this patch belongs to beyond that they're based out of Pasveh. The lettering reads "teep 25 مستقل [unclear about transliteration] Takavar" or "25th independent commando brigade". The patch is worn on the upper right sleeve above rank insignia but below shoulder tabs.








58th Commando Division

(Danilo Matz)

The emblem of the 58th "Zulfiqar" commando division features a tan beret, sword/dagger and a pair of crossed green arrows on a background on snow-capped mountains. Semi-illegible text adorn the top and bottom. Typically worn on the upper right sleeve






16th Armored Division

(Eric Larson)

The emblem of the 16th Armored division, based out of Qazvin, features a tank above a pair of swords superimposed over an illustration of Iran. Below this, text reads "16th Armored Divsion" (لشگر ۱۶ زرهی). Assumed to be work on the upper right sleeve.









21st Infantry Division

(Eric Larson)

The emblem of the 21st Infantry Division based out of Tabriz. The patch features many similarities to the 58th commando division (above) including crossed arrows and a sword superimposed over a background of mountains. The implication of this is unknown given that the 21st ID is assumed to be a conventional infantry division.








The author would like to express a special "thank-you" to the individual collectors who allowed the use of material from their personal collections to be used in this article which vastly increased the quality of the end product.