Armed drones; A new challenge for the international and regional security

What are the consequences of expanding the use of armed drones by states and non-state actors on international security? This is a question that has been on the minds of many IR scholars recently. The unique drone capabilities such as eliminating the risk of loss of forces and remotely piloted, deniability, simple technology, surveillance, etc. is introducing it as one of the main option to powering projection. Drones have a direct impact on international security in at least two ways: first by emergence of new international threats, and second by improving the ability of state/non-state actors. In this article, these two levels are analyzed and examined. Also considering the role of armed drones in the security regional of the Middle East, we suggest some strategic points for the defense doctrine of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We conclude that the use of drones should be understood in relation to the military innovation move toward automated and robotic systems. So the role of drones will become more highlight in the future.