Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have received their first warship capable of launching drones and helicopters at sea, the semi-official Tasnim news agency affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards reported Thursday.

As part of ongoing military exercises running from early January to early March, Iran’s armed forces have showcased new weaponry while preparing for possible confrontations with Israel and the United States under President Donald Trump.
Revolutionary Guards Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said the force had converted a commercial vessel into a mobile naval platform for drone and helicopter operations.
The newly unveiled Shahid Bagheri, a former container ship, features a 180-meter (590-foot) runway and can operate for up to a year without refueling, according to Tasnim. It differs from previous Revolutionary Guards warships by being able to launch and retrieve larger drones, such as the Qaher and Mohajer-6.
“The addition of this ship to our fleet marks an important step in enhancing Iran’s defense and deterrence capabilities in distant waters while safeguarding our national security interests,” Tangsiri said.
The announcement comes a month after Iran’s navy received its first signals intelligence ship.