IRIS Shahid Sayyad Shirazi

History
Iran
Name Shahid Sayyad Shirazi
NamesakeAli Sayyad Shirazi
OperatorIRGC Navy
BuilderShahid Mahallati Shipbuilding Industries
CommissionedFebruary 2024
Home portBandar Abbas
IdentificationFS313-03
FateDamaged by US airstrike, March 4 2026
Statusout of service
General characteristics
Class & typeShahid Soleimani-class corvette
Length68 m (223 ft 1 in)
Beam20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Speed32 knots (59 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried
3 fast boats
Armament
  • Combat helicopter
  • Navab missile system
  • Sayad cruise missile
Aviation facilitiesHelipad

IRIS Shahid Sayyad Shirazi, a Shahid Soleimani-class warship, was unveiled on February 19, 2024, during a ceremony in Bandar Abbas, which was attended by Mohammad Bagheri, the (former) Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and Alireza Tangsiri, the Commander of the IRGC Navy.[1][2]

Overview

Bagheri stated that the construction of this naval vessel took place at the Specialized Naval Center in Bushehr. This domestically manufactured warship boasts several features, including stealth capabilities that reduce its detection by enemy radar and detection systems, as well as the capacity to patrol an area spanning 5,500 nautical miles (10,200 km; 6,300 mi). Measuring 67 meters (220 ft) in length, 20 m (66 ft) in width, and displacing 600 tons, Shahid Sayyad Shirazi is powered by four engines and has the capability to accommodate a combat helicopter. They can also deploy with three rocket-armed fast boats. Designed in a catamaran style for oceanic operations, it can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots (83 km/h; 52 mph).[3][4]

Additionally, the ship is outfitted with the Nawab missile system featuring vertical launch capabilities, as well as the Sayad cruise missile, which has a range of 700 kilometers (430 mi).[5][3][6] In early to mid-March 2025, Iran, Russia, and China conducted a collaborative naval exercise named Security Belt-2025, which took place near the port of Chabahar in southeastern Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy was expected to deploy Shahid Sayyad Shirazi for this exercise.[7][8]

Operational history

On 4 March 2026, during 2026 Iran conflict, footage released by the United States Central Command appeared to show a strike on Shahid Sayyad Shirazi.[9][10] Iranian authorities did not immediately provide detailed official confirmation regarding the extent of the damage or possible casualties.

Footage released by the United States Central Command appeared to show a strike on the vessel during the incident.[11] Imagery published alongside the statement showed an explosion and fire on the deck area of a catamaran-style vessel identified as Shahid Sayyad Shirazi.[11]

According to USA the ship sunk after the strike.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Two new warships added to IRGC Navy Force". Archived from the original on 29 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  2. ^ "How IRGCN Plans to Counter Threats Outside Persian Gulf". Kayhan. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b Frantzman, Seth J. (19 February 2024). "Iran claims to add two new 'stealth' ships to IRGC Navy". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  4. ^ Huaxia, ed. (19 February 2024). "Iran's IRGC receives 2 homegrown warships". Xinhua. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  5. ^ Brimelow, Benjamin (4 July 2024). "Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gets powerful ships to confront adversaries well beyond the Persian Gulf". Business Insider. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Two New Warships Join IRGC Fleet". Iran's Metropolises News Agency. 21 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 June 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Iran, Russia, and China to conduct major naval drill in Indian Ocean". Archived from the original on 29 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Russian, Chinese naval vessels enter Iranian waters for major joint military drills". Iranian Student News Agency. 10 March 2025. Archived from the original on 29 June 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  9. ^ "U.S. Central Command post regarding strike on IRGC naval vessel". United States Central Command. 3 March 2026. Archived from the original on 5 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  10. ^ Tayfun Ozberk (4 March 2026). "Iran's Catamaran Corvette Struck During Operation Epic Fury". Naval News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  11. ^ a b "U.S. Central Command post regarding strike on IRGC naval vessel". United States Central Command. 3 March 2026. Archived from the original on 5 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  12. ^ TYLER ROGOWAY (4 March 2026). "One Of Iran's Most Advanced Wacky Catamaran Warships Sunk In Epic Fury". TWZ. Archived from the original on 9 March 2026. Retrieved 8 March 2026.