Naval News – One of Iran’s most modern frigates, the Sahand, has capsized in Bandar Abbas. Recent upgrades may have made the ship more top-heavy.

RUSI – In January 2024 Iran successfully tested the launch of ballistic missiles housed in cargo containers from the deck of a container ship, giving it the ability to launch missile strikes from new and previously unexpected vectors and from a highly survivable platform. This has significantly increased Iran’s naval strike effectiveness.

BBC – Iran has seized a commercial ship with links to Israel as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday.

The War Zone – Fired from a sea base-like vessel, Iran’s launching of ballistic missiles via shipping containers could have wide-ranging implications.

BBC – Iran has seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman.

Covert Shores – Iran showcased another batch of new boats for the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp). The exact number of new vessels in these parades needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. But there is no doubt that the IRGC’s naval branch is growing in size and capability. It is gaining some increasingly potent equipment and some modern vessels. This time a new missile boat stole the show. The Abu Mahdi class is the latestmissile corvette for the IRGC. It is a catamaran with low-observable shaping and a generally futuristic appearance. 

(Thanks to Alain)

TRTFrancais – Iran has deployed one of its warships in the Red Sea in a context of tensions, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting merchant ships to or from Israel.

(In French)

(Thanks to Alain)

BBC – The US said the Chem Pluto was hit by “a one-way attack drone fired from Iran”. It is believed to be the first time the US has publicly accused Iran of targeting a ship directly.

Tehran Times –  Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps will soon be equipped with a new generation of Ghadir and Fateh submarines.

(Thanks to Alain)

Jerusalem Post – Iran’s top naval officer Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s naval forces, arrived in Russia on Saturday to participate in a parade that marks the anniversary of the creation of the Russian navy.

(Thanks to Alain)

War on the Rocks – When discussing the risks posed by Iran’s asymmetric capabilities and proxy tactics at sea, observers have overlooked the possibility of Tehran employing a historical maritime strategy called the fleet-in-being. Going back to the 17th century, the fleet-in-being strategy has allowed inferior navies to challenge stronger ones in oceans around the world. 

USNI News – Officials in Tehran are claiming the warship that attempted to seize an oil tanker operating off the coast of Oman acted under a court order, according to Iranian state-controlled media.

USNI News – An Iranian warship fired on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman before leaving the scene after U.S. naval forces arrived.

Eurasian Times – Amid rising tensions in the Middle East with the rise of Iran’s military power, the Islamic Republic has dropped another bombshell as it announced equipping its Damavand-2 destroyer with a hypersonic missile.

(Thanks to Alain)

Covert Shores – A recent image of an IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) naval vessels in Bandar Abbas appears to show a new weapon. The uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) is displayed beside other known types. The presence of the missile armed fast boat behind it conforms that it is recent.

(Thanks to Alain)

USNI News – Iranian forces have seized the second oil tanker in less than a week.

USNI News – Iranian naval forces seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, U.S. 5th Fleet announced.

PressTV – Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani says two new types of the domestically-designed Fateh (Conqueror)-class submarine will join the force “in the near future.”

(Thanks to Alain)

Mehr – The Iranian Navy’s 86th flotilla of warships has docked at the Port of Cape Town in South Africa in line with the Islamic Republic’s efforts to expand its naval presence in international waters.

(Thanks to Alain)

Live Journal – The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Naval Forces officially incorporated the new Shahid Mahdavi floating base, created by rebuilding a civilian ship, in this case the former container ship Sarvin with a deadweight of over 41,000 tons. (In Russian)

(Thanks to Alain)

USNI News – A pair of Iranian warships pulled into Rio de Janeiro on Sunday after a month of waiting in the southern Atlantic Ocean.

USNI News – A two-ship Iranian surface group is set to arrive today for a port visit in Rio de Janeiro as part of a round-the-world cruise.

USNI News – The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy is sending ships to the Panama Canal.

USNI News – In a dry dock near the entrance to the Persian Gulf, Iran’s sectarian naval force is converting a former merchant container ship into a drone aircraft carrier.

USNI News – U.S. Central Command and Israeli officials are blaming Iran for a Tuesday attack on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman.