JMERC
Owner
Janbazan Medical and Engineering Research Center (JMERC) is the owner of IJWPH.
1.0
Cite Score 2025
SJR: 0.129 / SNIP: 0.140
Volume 18, Issue 2 (2026)
Iran J War Public Health 2026, 18(2): 189-200 |
Back to browse issues page
Article Type:
Subject:
History
Received: 2025/12/23 | Accepted: 2026/03/17 | Published: 2026/04/14
Received: 2025/12/23 | Accepted: 2026/03/17 | Published: 2026/04/14
How to cite this article
Moradpour Dehnavi A, Sadeghi R, Bamir M. The Roles and Functions of Passive Defense as a Deterrence Strategy in Preventing Military Surprise. Iran J War Public Health 2026; 18 (2) :189-200
URL: http://ijwph.ir/article-1-1724-en.html
URL: http://ijwph.ir/article-1-1724-en.html
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Rights and permissions
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
1- Department of Islamic Studies, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
2- Department of Public Health, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
3- Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2- Department of Public Health, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
3- Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract (882 Views)
Aims: This paper presented a review of the functions and roles of passive defense in strengthening non-offensive deterrence and reducing vulnerability.
Information & Method: This systematic review was conducted to comprehensively gather related literature, spanning the conceptual evolution of passive defense from 2005 to 2025. No geographical or document type restrictions were imposed. Electronic searches were performed across three specialized databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed), two general search engines (Google Scholar and Google), and Persian databases (SID and Magiran). Furthermore, gray literature sources and manual citation tracing (forward and backward tracking) were utilized to ensure complete coverage of the literature. The study selection process followed the PRISMA framework.
Findings: The role of passive defense in preventing and countering military surprise was delineated across 15 key axes. The most critical application areas identified in the scientific documents fell into four main categories that formed the foundation of defense strategies. Moreover, the dimensions of passive defense in these studies were categorized into nine key sections, and the fundamental elements and components of passive defense, which specify the executive requirements, collectively comprised seven vital components.
Conclusion: Passive defense is a proactive, multi-layered strategy that strengthens national resilience by reducing vulnerabilities and preventing attacks from escalating.
Information & Method: This systematic review was conducted to comprehensively gather related literature, spanning the conceptual evolution of passive defense from 2005 to 2025. No geographical or document type restrictions were imposed. Electronic searches were performed across three specialized databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed), two general search engines (Google Scholar and Google), and Persian databases (SID and Magiran). Furthermore, gray literature sources and manual citation tracing (forward and backward tracking) were utilized to ensure complete coverage of the literature. The study selection process followed the PRISMA framework.
Findings: The role of passive defense in preventing and countering military surprise was delineated across 15 key axes. The most critical application areas identified in the scientific documents fell into four main categories that formed the foundation of defense strategies. Moreover, the dimensions of passive defense in these studies were categorized into nine key sections, and the fundamental elements and components of passive defense, which specify the executive requirements, collectively comprised seven vital components.
Conclusion: Passive defense is a proactive, multi-layered strategy that strengthens national resilience by reducing vulnerabilities and preventing attacks from escalating.
Keywords:
References
1. Morad Pirii H, Khazraei H. The role of new information technologies in future wars. Soft Power Stud. 2021;10(2):159-77. [Persian] [Link]
2. Riyazi V, Akbari A, Bajlani S, Akbari HR. Introduction of the components and tools of the US hybrid war against the IR of Iran. Sci Q J Def Strategy. 2021;19(1):37-67. [Persian] [Link]
3. Khaleghi Nejad A, Ruhollahi M, Bahador R. HSE management system, passive defence and its role in sustainable development. Proceedings of the National Conference on Passive Defence and Sustainable Development. Tehran: Ministry of Interior; 2016. [Persian] [Link]
4. Mahdavizadeh M, Khalafzadeh R. The role of passive defense in countering bioterrorism attacks in the armed forces. J Sci Promot. 2021;8(29):27-50. [Persian] [Link]
5. Minaie M, Hossein Zadeh M, Begheri Pour M. The effects of passive defense in modern NBC warfare. Passiv Def Q. 2011;2(3):37-51. [Persian] [Link]
6. Mojoodi M, Alizadeh Q, Ebrahimian M. Bioterrorism and biological warfare, from the past to the present: A classic review. War Stud. 2019;1(3):107-30. [Persian] [Link]
7. Moradpour AH, Sadeghi R, Bamir M. Passive Defense as a Deterrence Strategy: A Review of Its Roles and Functions in Preventing Military Surprise in the Health and Non-Health Sectors. Iran J War Public Health. 2026;18(2):1001-9. [Link]
8. Atash Panjeh H, Parbin Z, Dastdadeh F. Passive defense threats and measures in crisis management. Proceedings of the National Conference on Passive Defense and Sustainable Development. Tehran: Ministry of Interior; 2016. [Persian] [Link]
9. Kohkan A, Jadidi Narges. An introduction to passive defense and its place in foreign policy: Background to sustainable development. Proceedings of the National Conference on Passive Defense and Sustainable Development. Tehran: Ministry of Interior; 2016. [Persian] [Link]
10. Darabi M, Ataee Kachoee MH, Arefnia MH, Farhadinia A. Passive defense strategies for critical infrastructure against biological threats by SWOT method (case study: Civilian airports). Mil Manag. 2025;25(97):194-233. [Persian] [Link]
11. Pilkington AR. Military, political, cultural, and societal implications of the Islamic Republic of Iran's passive defense strategy [Doctoral dissertation]. Denver: University of Denver; 2024. [Link]
12. Shi C, Peng J, Zhu S, Ren X. From passive defense to proactive defence: Strategies and technologies. In: Artificial intelligence security and privacy. Singapore: Springer; 2023. p. 190-205. [Link] [DOI:10.1007/978-981-99-9785-5_14]
13. Ebrahimi Aligar M, Sharifan E, Zarvandi J. The role of passive defense principles on air operations capability with emphasis on the principle of training. Mod Aviat Technol. 2023;2(1):17-26. [Persian] [Link]
14. Zawadzka M, Lis A, Marszałkowska-Jakubik J, Szymański P. Evaluation of soldiers' knowledge and sense of threats regarding exposure to biological risk factors at the place of service. Healthcare. 2024;12(17):1777. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/healthcare12171777]
15. Foruzan H. Lessons learned from passive defense in the field of vulnerability reduction the time frame of holy defense. Holy Def Stud. 2024;10(3):9-35. [Persian] [Link]
16. Frozan H, Ataee Kachoee MH, Araghizadeh M, Rezaei M, Eghdam E. A comparative study of passive defense policy models of non-governmental industries in chosen countries. Strateg Def Stud. 2023;21(94):77-102. [Persian] [Link]
17. Narimani K, Ghadrpouran S, Ganji M. Pathology of health and treatment centers in terms of passive defense: A review study. J Combat Med. 2023;6(2):86-92. [Persian] [Link]
18. Poursamsam H, Akbari E, Momeni K. The approach of passive defense in the location of essential items storage with the help of AHP. Passiv Def Q. 2023;14(4):101-10. [Persian] [Link]
19. Qu Z, Shi H, Wang Y, Yin G, Abu-Siada A. Active and passive defense strategies of cyber-physical power system against cyber attacks considering node vulnerability. Processes. 2022;10(7):1351. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/pr10071351]
20. Abbasian M, Shapoorian S. Presenting a model to identify the relationship between effective factors in the construction and establishment of field hospitals with a passive defense approach. Sci J Passiv Def. 2023;14(4)-75-83. [Persian] [Link]
21. Messenger DA. Local government, passive defense and aerial bombardment in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-9. J Contemp Hist. 2021;56(4):1084-101. [Link] [DOI:10.1177/0022009421997898]
22. Mirzadeh S, Asgharzadeh A. Passive defense challenges in hospital space and combat conditions. Nurse Physician War. 2021;9(30):13-9. [Persian] [Link]
23. Shahr Aieni SS, Sepehri Rad A, Riyazi V, Hemmat H. Explaining the factors influencing the formulation of the passive defense doctrine of the Islamic Republic of Iran based a military approach. Mil Sci Tactics. 2022;18(60):223-43. [Persian] [Link]
24. Mousavifard SMR, Khodayar H, Bijani M, Romanan F. Prospective research of medical passive defense in biological attacks emphasizing the hypothesis of corona bioterrorism. Med Law J. 2022;16(57):1001-16. [Persian] [Link]
25. Moradi R, Firoozabadi SH. Strategic model of public security of the country with emphasis on passive defense. Strateg Def Stud. 2021;19(85):177-200. [Persian] [Link]
26. Aghababaei M, Hosseini SM, Maher A. Assessment of hospital preparedness of Tehran University of Medical Sciences for implementation of non-operational defense strategies from the viewpoint of managers. Passiv Def Q. 2020;11(1):37-50. [Persian] [Link]
27. Modiri M, Ahadnejad M, Hosseini A. Risk management in human made crises with passive defense approach (case study: Tehran). Res Urban Plan. 2017;7(27):163-82. [Persian] [Link]
28. Monazami Tabar J. Investigating the factors related to the acceptance and application of passive defense in ICT: A case study of highway patrol and traffic control (known as RAHVAR) police officers in the border areas of south Khorasan. Passiv Def Q. 2021;11(4):47-58. [Persian] [Link]
29. Tafteh G, Kalantari F. Passive defense in the IRI's defensive strategy: Role and position. Strateg Def Stud. 2019;16(74):99-116. [Persian] [Link]
30. Abazari MH, Izadi Fard AA. Passive defense in cyberspace and explaining the role of governments and religious institutions. Int Multidiscip J Pure Life. 2018;5(15):149-77. [Persian] [Link]
31. Shaheen S. Exploring factors influencing the evolution and stability of command control systems in small nuclear weapon states [Doctoral thesis]. London: King's College London; 2017. [Link]
32. Doagooyan D. Strategies of passive defense to prevent vulnerability of FAVA NAJA (Cyber Police). J NAJA Strateg Stud. 2017;2(4):87-108. [Persian] [Link]
33. Farzin M, Vahidi A, Bagheri A. The model of strategic monitoring for the implementation of general policies. Q J Macro Strateg Policies. 2022;10(37):2-40. [Persian] [Link]
34. Anvari G. Obstacles to the implementation of overall policies of passive defense in govermental organizations. Strateg Def Stud. 2019;17(76):233-58. [Persian] [Link]
35. Jamali A, Madani SM. The role of passive defense in the deterrence of war. Sci Q J Def Strateg. 2015;13(3):171-206. [Persian] [Link]
36. Shamohammadi M, Mohammadinia R. Passive defense strategy in technology. Strateg Def Stud. 2015;13(59):121-43. [Persian] [Link]
37. Akhbari M, Ahmadi Moghaddam M. Passive defense in urban management. Int Q Geopolit. 2015;10(34):36-69. [Persian] [Link]
38. Karami A. Passive defense in new warfare, impact of novel technologies. Nurse Physician War. 2013;(21-22):37-42. [Persian] [Link]
39. Barzegar E, Lalalizadeh M. Anti-Islamic computer games and passive defense. Soft Power Stud. 2011;1(1):93-117. [Persian] [Link]
40. Nazarinejad AA, Pourshaseb AA. Adopt passive defense strategies to protect the critical infrastructure of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Strateg Def Stud. 2020;18(82):313-36. [Persian] [Link]
41. Salahshur Z, Ahmadian M, Alizadeh K. Evaluating the level of vulnerability of urban infrastructures with a passive defense perspective (case study: Shirvan). Geography. 2022;20(72):137-53. [Persian] [Link]
42. Ahmadi Moghadam I, Hosseini H, Forouzan H, Tahmasebi P. Presenting a strategic model of people-centered passive defense in confronting the enemy's soft war. Strateg Def Stud. 2023;21(93):147-68. [Persian] [Link]
43. Minaei H. The importance of human resources in passive defense. Mil Sci Technol. 2010;7(18):77-96. [Persian] [Link]
44. Mansouri SA, Afghah SM. Investigating Iran's economic and social resilience with a passive defense approach. Def Econ Sustain Dev. 2018;2(6):73-98. [Persian] [Link]
45. Kafi S. Passive defense strategies against advanced persistent threats in the cyber environment. J Def Policy. 2016;23(1):51-71. [Persian] [Link]
46. Sheikhi A, Ghahramani A. Identifying and prioritizing culture producing strategies in passive defense. Superv Insp. 2017;11(41):97-120. [Persian] [Link]
47. Pourian MT, Pourramazan E. The role of passive defense in environmental security. Passiv Def Secur. 2012;1(1):7-28. [Persian] [Link]
48. Asghar Zade M, Hasani H. The role of psychological factors of soft power in the field of passive defense. J Sci Promot. 2014;3(10):53-78. [Persian] [Link]
49. Khoshchehreh M, Kaini MR. Strategic and efficient factors in securing basic needs (food) from the passive defense standpoint with the focus on the resistive economy. Strateg Def Stud. 2017;15(69):251-74. [Persian] [Link]