On Nov. 8, 2024, Iran announced its proposed military budget for the year 1404 (March 2025–March 2026). In response to both internal priorities and external pressures, Iran plans to increase its military budget by 200 percent. Iran’s decision to allocate a large portion of its revenue directly to the military sends several messages. For regional neighbors, particularly Israel, Iran’s budget signals its intent to maintain a strong defensive and offensive posture. By emphasizing its investment in