Why the Claim that Iran’s Navy Has Been Destroyed Is not True
WANA (May 02) – The United States claims that by targeting several warships and fast-attack boats, Iran’s navy has been eliminated. This claim is not supported by field evidence, and the Strait of Hormuz remains fully under Iran’s control.
From both technical and geopolitical perspectives, the available evidence contradicts the claims made by Trump and officials in his administration.
Iran’s naval fleet falls into two categories: primary warships designed for military purposes, and vessels that have been converted from commercial ships.
Through reverse engineering, Iran succeeded in developing the Jamaran-class frigates based on the most advanced vessels it previously possessed. These ships can be produced domestically.
Iranian Naval Drill in Strait of Hormuz on Feb 17, 2026. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Converted vessels are easier to build and can be deployed more quickly and at a higher rate. However, the key point is not just the ability to produce and commission new ships, but the need to revise naval policies so that these vessels have greater survivability.
Fast-attack boats have been incorporated into the IRGC Navy based on asymmetric warfare doctrine and Iran’s geographical characteristics.
They have suffered very limited damage in past conflicts while inflicting significant losses on the enemy. The scale of damage in this sector has been small, and if necessary, the fleet’s size can be rapidly expanded.
In recent years, four types of weapons have been added to Iran’s naval capabilities: anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles, reconnaissance-combat drones, and loitering munitions.
A missile is launched during an annual drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, in this picture obtained on December 31, 2022. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Like fast-attack boats, these systems have sustained minimal damage while delivering extensive impact. While fast boats are more effective at short ranges and within the geography of the Strait of Hormuz, missiles and drones are considered Iran’s long-range offensive tools in naval warfare.
The maritime power of the “Axis of Resistance” is closely tied to geography and spans several strategic areas: the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb from Yemen, and the eastern Mediterranean from Lebanon.
The combination of missile and drone capabilities alongside fast-attack boats provides full resilience across these regions. These areas, which overlook key maritime routes, effectively function as dominant and unsinkable platforms for the Axis of Resistance.
Iranian Navy Commander Warns of Imminent Unveiling of New Naval Weapon
WANA (Apr 30) – The Commander of the Iranian Army’s Navy announced the imminent unveiling of a major new maritime defense capability, stating that the weapon is of a kind that will instill “significant fear” in enemies. Speaking on Wednesday evening (April 29) during a televised interview, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani outlined Iran’s strategic […]
