WANA (Feb 06) – The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy officially inducted the multi-purpose drone carrier Shahid Bagheri on Thursday, February 6, 2025, marking Iran’s largest naval military project since the Islamic Revolution.

 

The ceremony, held ahead of the 47th anniversary of the revolution, was attended by Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri.

 

Tangsiri emphasized that the new drone carrier aligns with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s directive to establish a highly mobile naval force and the military’s broader strategy to extend Iran’s operational reach into distant waters.

 

Converted from a commercial vessel, Shahid Bagheri boasts advanced capabilities, including long-range missile launch systems, high-speed naval drones, and electronic warfare units. It has a maximum speed of 22 knots and an economic cruising speed of 18 knots.

 

Key Features of Shahid Bagheri

  • Drone and Helicopter Operations: Equipped with a 180-meter runway, multiple drone and helicopter hangars, and a dedicated control tower.
  • Combat and Support Units: Hosts naval special forces, combat divers, and a guided underwater combat unit.
  • Missile Systems: Armed with long-range surface-to-surface missiles and missile-launching boats with a 30-kilometer range.
  • Medical and Logistical Facilities: Includes a specialized hospital with surgical and medical services, as well as sports and fitness amenities for the crew.
  • Sustained Operations: Capable of year-long missions without refueling.

 

Tangsiri hailed the vessel’s commissioning as a milestone for Iran’s naval strategy, calling it a step toward securing maritime trade routes and strengthening national economic interests. He reaffirmed that both the IRGC and the regular army remain committed to ensuring maritime security and economic stability.

 

IRGC Chief: Iran Has Grown Stronger Despite Foreign Pressures

Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that despite repeated attempts by adversaries to undermine Iran’s sovereignty, the nation has only grown stronger.

 

Speaking at this event, he emphasized that global powers seek to dictate the world’s political map, forcing weaker nations into submission, but Iran has resisted such pressures.

 

“Iran, under the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, has chosen the path of strength and deterrence. We are not at odds with any country; our logic is one of engagement and cooperation,” Salami said. “We do not pose a threat to any nation, nor do we bow to threats from others.”

 

Military Advancements Strengthen Iran’s Deterrence

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, also highlighted Iran’s military achievements, stressing the importance of continued defense advancements.

 

“Our military capabilities are unmatched, but we must continue to enhance our defense power to safeguard our independence,” Bagheri stated. He described the newly commissioned Shahid Bagheri drone carrier as a strategic asset, providing Iran with a mobile base to protect national interests in distant waters.

 

“As foreign powers operate near Iran’s territorial waters, we will also assert our legal right to operate in international waters to secure our maritime routes and ensure the safety of Iranian shipping,” he added.