
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,808
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Man to Man
- 2–12 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 1985

1980
Rules assistance for Raid on Iran
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Raid on Iran is a board game released in 1980 for 1–2 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Steve Jackson (I) and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Simulation.
On April 24,1980, the United States launched a rescue mission to free 53 hostages held captive in Iran. Three helicopters failed on the way. The mission was aborted. But what if it had gone in? Raid on Iran is a simulation of what might have been ... The American commandos must find and free the embassy hostages while holding off Iranian mobs and militants.
Raid on Iran supports 1–2 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Raid on Iran is 60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Raid on Iran for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Raid on Iran has a complexity rating of 1.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Raid on Iran belongs to these categories: Fighting, Wargame, and Modern Warfare. Its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Simulation. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Raid on Iran are: Steve Jackson (I). These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Raid on Iran as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.