The 21st Imam Reza (as) Division was one of the key units from Khorasan Province that participated in the Sacred Defense.

Eleven days after the Iran-Iraq War began, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units that had been deployed in the south under the name “Envoys of Reza (as)”, launched the first offensive operation near the Khorramshahr Road (along the Dobbe Hardan axis). In a limited but effective operation, they halted the enemy’s advance in parts of the sector and pushed back Iraqi forces. Later on, Khorasan units engaged the enemy across three axes—Dobbe Hardan, Allahu Akbar Hills, and Susangerd, as well as the Shush front—through Abu Zar, Hur, Meqdad, Malik, Shahid Rajaei, and Shahid Beheshti battalions.⁠[1]

In early 1982, with 1,985 fighters sent from Khorasan, the core of a new brigade took shape. Since this was the 21st major deployment from the province, they named it the 21st Brigade. That is how the 21st Imam Reza Brigade (as) was formed.⁠[2] Under Commander Muhammad-Mahdi Khadem al-Sharia, it was the first full combat unit from Khorasan. In early 1982, it managed to take over the Chazabeh defensive line with three battalions: Javad al-Aemmah (as), Imam Hassan Askari (as), and Vali-e Asr (as). Also, other Khorasan battalions later on formed the 18th Javad al-Aemmah (as) Brigade. Subsequently, the 21st Imam Reza (as) Brigade handed over the Chazabeh axis to the 18th Javad al-Aemmah (as) Brigade and began preparations for Operation Beit al-Muqaddas.⁠[3]

After Muhammad-Mahdi Khadem al-Sharia was martyred on May 21, 1982, Valiollah Cheraghchi took command of the 21st Imam Reza (as) Brigade.⁠[4] The brigade joined Operation Beit al-Muqaddas (April-May 1982) under Quds Headquarters, alongside other Army and IRGC units.⁠[5] In that operation, it captured 16 kilometers of the border berm, expanded north of the Hussaynieh Road, inflicted casualties on the enemy, and seized a lot of weapons and equipment. After Beit al-Muqaddas ended, May 26, 1982, the brigade deployed to the northern Arvand Rud defensive line, then spent time fortifying positions and developing new strategies until Operation Ramazan began.⁠[6]

Operation Ramazan was carried out on July 13, 1982, east of Basra in five phases and lasted until July 29. It aimed at taking Nashwa, Tanumeh, and the Basra Bridge.⁠[7] The 21st Imam Reza (as) Brigade took part with six battalions who joined other Army and IRGC units.⁠[8] The operation liberated about 250 square kilometers of Iranian soil and 80 square kilometers of Iraqi territory.⁠[9]

In February 1984, Operation Kheibar in northern Basra led to the capture of the Majnoon Islands (Iraq)⁠[10] with the 21st Imam Reza (as) Brigade participating through five battalions and a special company.⁠[11]

On the 9th of February 1986, Operation Valfajr 8 started with IRGC forces crossing the Arvand Rud to seize Al-Faw.⁠[12] Within 48 hours, they took the city and controlled Khor Abdullah (Iraq’s only waterway to Umm al-Qasr Port).⁠[13] In that operation, the 21st Imam Reza (as) Brigade captured Buwarin and Umm al-Rasas islands and destroyed some of the enemy light and heavy weapons.⁠[14] However, three days later, Iranians had to withdraw from the islands due to heavy Iraqi pressure, and the bridge over Khin River was blown up by demolition teams. Later, on February 16, the brigade sent its units to Al-Faw to reinforce the forces stationed there.⁠[15]

After Operation Valfajr 8 in 1986, the independent 21st Imam Reza (as) Brigade was upgraded to the 21st Imam Reza (as) Division.⁠[16] In operations Karbala 1, 4, and 5, it expanded massively with 20 combat battalions named Qadr, Kowsar 1 and 2, Fajr 1 and 2, Al-Hadid 1 and 2, Falaq 1 and 2, Raad, Yasin, Nuh, Nur, Fath, Fajr, Al-Nazeaat, Saf, Wal-Adiyaat, Qaem (as), and Ansar al-Mumenin.⁠[17]

On June 30, 1986, the brigade joined Operation Karbala 1 with other IRGC units. On the second day, it helped encircle and then liberate Mehran City.⁠[18]

On December 24, 1986, Operation Karbala 4 was launched along the Arvand Rud to push toward Basra.⁠[19] The 21st Imam Reza (as) Division participated with 18 battalions;⁠[20] however, heavy enemy pressure eventually led to the withdrawal of Iranian forces.⁠[21]

On January 9, 1987, Operation Karbala 5 began under IRGC command to advance east of Basra and capture Shalamcheh. It resulted in the liberation of 75 square kilometers of Iraqi territory.⁠[22] The 21st Imam Reza (as) Division deployed 18 infantry battalions, captured Dueiji town, destroyed enemy forces and equipment in the area, and in one day alone captured 210 Iraqi soldiers. After Iraq pulled back from Buwarin and Mahi islands, the division moved in, cleared and secured them, and transferred the captured equipment to the rear. It also took control of areas west of the Jasem River.⁠[23]

In the final days of the Iran-Iraq War, when the Iraqis re-invaded Hussaynieh Station and the Jofair crossroads and occupied the Ahvaz–Khorramshahr Road on July 22, 1988, the 21st Imam Reza (as) Division deployed one battalion to the area to counter the enemy. By the time it arrived, the enemy had already retreated, so the division cleared the area and settled into defensive positions on the right side of the Hussaynieh Road toward the border outpost.⁠[24]

Overall, during the Sacred Defense, the 21st Imam Reza (as) Division organized around 60 combat battalions.⁠[25] In addition to taking part in 27 offensive operations, it was also involved in 22 defensive operations,⁠[26] including along the defensive lines at Chazabeh, Shalamcheh, Khandaq Road (Hoor al-Azim), Majnoon Islands, and Hussaynieh Station.⁠[27]

Muhammad-Mahdi Khadem al-Sharia, Valiollah Cheraghchi, Abolfazl Rafiei, Esmail Qaani, Muhammad-Baqer Qalibaf, and Muhammad-Javad Mahdianpour commanded the 21st Imam Reza (as) Division from 1982 until the end of the war, four of whom were martyred. Today, Muhammad-Baqer Qalibaf is the Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, and Esmail Qaani commands the IRGC Quds Force. Except for Muhammad-Javad Mahdianpour (from Neyshabur), all the others were from Mashhad.⁠[28]

The 21st Imam Reza (AS) Division remained within the IRGC Ground Forces organizational structure until 1993. That year, following orders to convert its branch from infantry to armored, it was reorganized as the independent 21st Imam Reza (as) Armored Brigade.⁠[29]

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