According to the state-run IRNA news agency, the vessel, named Shahid Bagheri, is operated by the Revolutionary Guard’s navy. The ship can carry multiple drone squadrons, helicopters, and cruise missiles.
The vessel, which was converted from a commercial ship, features a 180-meter-long runway for drone operations and can travel up to 22,000 nautical miles without refueling. It is reportedly equipped with various onboard facilities, including a hospital and a gym. Iranian officials claim the ship can remain at sea for up to a year without port calls.
Footage from state media showed at least four helicopters and three drones stationed on the ship’s runway. Chief of the Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami, emphasized during the inauguration ceremony that the warship strengthens Iran's defensive capabilities. He stated that Iran does not seek conflict but aims to deter aggression.
The project reportedly took over two years to complete, with the head of the Guard’s navy, Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri, highlighting its significance in expanding Iran's maritime reach. Since 1992, Iran has pursued a military self-sufficiency strategy, producing equipment such as submarines, fighter jets, and tanks.
This development aligns with Iran's ongoing efforts to assert its presence in international waters.
