Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have taken delivery of the country’s first ship capable of launching drones and helicopters at sea, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. The new naval platform was unveiled amid military exercises that ran from early January to early March, as Tehran braces for heightened tensions with Israel and the US under President Donald Trump.
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Described as a transformation of a former commercial container vessel, the ship—named Shahid Beheshti—has been converted into a mobile platform that significantly expands Iran’s operational capabilities in distant waters. Navy Commander of the Revolutionary Guards Alireza Tangsiri explained, “The Revolutionary Guards took action to transform a commercial ship into a mobile naval platform capable of carrying out drone and helicopter missions in the oceans.” He added that the new asset represents an important step in increasing Iran’s defence and deterrence capabilities while upholding national security interests.
The Shahid Beheshti features a 180-meter runway, allowing it to launch and retrieve larger drones, including the Qaher—a miniaturised drone modeled after a local fighter jet. In addition to its aerial assets, the ship is equipped to carry fast-attack crafts, unmanned submarines, and short-range anti-ship cruise missiles. Its robust design enables it to operate continuously for up to one year without the need for refuelling.