Iran salary delays trigger rising military desertions

Signs of growing discontent, declining morale, financial pressure and even instances of desertion are emerging within segments of Iran’s security and military apparatus, Iran International reports.

Members of the Special Units Command were informed on March 13 that salary payments for certain units had encountered disruptions, according to people familiar with the matter. 

This marks the third occasion since the beginning of the year that wages for these forces have been delayed.

In the aftermath of these payment issues, some personnel reportedly declined to participate in pro-government gatherings. This reluctance has, in turn, led to operational disruptions, particularly affecting deployment capacity in several major cities.

At the same time, financial difficulties appear to extend beyond active-duty personnel. Retirees, along with some members of the regular army, have reportedly gone unpaid for a second consecutive month.

Amid these developments, tensions are also surfacing at the leadership level. Some senior commanders have accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of exploiting the financial troubles linked to Bank Sepah as a means of undermining the police force while consolidating influence within other institutions, particularly those aligned with the clerical establishment.

By Jeyhun Aghazada