Iran employs a “Decentralized Mosaic Defense” (difaʿ-i muzayiki) command-and-control (2C) structure: “decapitations” have minimal impacts on 2C. This is evident from Iran’s control of the escalation ladder, and the calibrated responses advancing Iran’s strategic objectives. Notes and observations on difaʿ-i muzayiki.
Background
In 2005, after observing the swift collapses of centralized commands in Afghanistan and Iraq, Iran began transitioning to decentralized 2C structure; and developed approaches to countering the “American way of war.” This is what Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meant when he tweeted (1 Mar ’26): “We’ve had two decades to study defeats of the U.S military to our immediate east and west. We’ve incorporated lessons accordingly.”
US generals hew to the belief, “capital falls; regime falls.” Israeli doctrine, employed in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Occupied Palestine for years, and against Iran on 13 June ’25 and 28 Feb ’26, is wedded to assassinations: “kill leaders; entity collapses.” Israeli and US doctrines vis-à-vis assassinations overlap (see “Allure of Assassinations”). Iranians know that (a) Israel cannot fight ground wars or fight Iran alone; and (b) US emphasizes air power and SOF operations. Mosaic is designed to counter decapitations, American/Israeli air power, and SOF operations inside Iran.
Concept
“Mosaic” is simple in concept: instead of a central HQ issuing instructions to operations bases, there are thirty-one semi-autonomous commands (“sub-HQ”)—one for each Iranian province—that control operations within their “Area of Responsibility” (AOR). Mosaic is about resilience: there is no single “head” to cutoff. Mosaic is hydra-headed.
Mosaic’s core elements include: (1) semi-autonomy in 2C; (2) asymmetry, mobility, camouflaged assets, “passive defense” (survival of assets), and “ambush posture” (emerge, attack, vanish); (3) wage protracted attritional warfare; (4) integration with regional partners (Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen); and (5) integration with Basij (volunteers) and Armed Forces to control AOR against seditionists (e.g., MEK and Pahlavists) and separatists (viz., Kurds and Baluchis).
What Mosaic is Not
Contrary to speculation, each sub-HQ is not running its own game. This is logical: otherwise, 31 different campaigns would unfold, which would be dangerous and incoherent. For example, if sub-HQ 1 is on the escalation ladder’s “Rung X,” and sub-HQ 2 jumps to “Rung X+2, the war could escalate and derail Tehran’s methodical approach; or if sub-HQs employ the wrong munitions (type of missile or drone), or waste munitions by striking the same target.
Method and Strategy
There is an established game plan being systematically advanced by the thirty-one sub-HQs, i.e., the sub-HQs operate in concert. “Quarterbacks”—I suspect there is more than one—issue instructions (as needed); and will “call an audible” if circumstances warrant; for example, like when Israel struck oil depots in Tehran (see below).
Escalation Control
Iran has retained control of the escalation ladder. From the first minutes of the war (28 Feb), responses have been calibrated and they advance Tehran’s strategy (see “Iran’s Ball Game: Strikes on Arab States”), viz., denuding their neighborhood of enemy bases, ports, and radars.
Ad hoc adjustments to operations: When CIA and US military (now in civilian clothes) tried to hide in hotels in Erbil, Manama, and Dubai, locations were identified (by SIGINT and/or HUMINT) and Shahid-136 drones delivered “room service” (drones arrived through windows not doors). This demonstrates exquisite real-time intel and adaptability.
Calling an audible: After Israel’s thoughtless attack on oil depots around Tehran, Iran retaliated immediately against the Haifa refinery. Further evidence of Mosaic’s ability to maintain 2C and adapt quickly.
Last Words
Basij and Army are maintaining security throughout Iran. Trump’s talk about ground invasion and incursions by Kurdish separatists are fantasies. SOF operations are possible. Mosaic is working.
More as the war unfolds.
Perspectives 