Background: Promoting healthy lifestyles among military personnel is essential for improving their health and readiness. This study aimed to explore experts' perspectives on the factors influencing health-promoting lifestyles among Iranian military personnel and to identify practical strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles within the military context.

Method: This qualitative study used thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 15 experts in military health, health promotion, and lifestyle. Participants were selected purposively, and interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA software

Results: The thematic analysis identified five domains: the status of health-promoting lifestyles, barriers to such lifestyles, influencing factors, and proposed interventions. Proposed interventions included developing public health policies, creating supportive environments, reviewing military health services, strengthening workplace interventions, and empowering military personnel. These interventions were recommended at individual, managerial, and policy-making levels. An approach was suggested for analyzing, intervening, monitoring, and evaluating behavioral factors influencing health-promoting lifestyles.

Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to promote healthy lifestyles in the Iranian military. By addressing barriers, influencing factors, and interventions at individual, managerial, and policy levels, the findings provide a framework for integrating health promotion into military practices. Such efforts are essential to enhance well-being and sustain operational readiness.