What is known about Iran's naval capabilities?

When attention turns to Iran’s response to the US strikes, the first thing that comes to mind is how far it can go to undermine Washington’s interests in the Gulf waters. Since the beginning of the confrontation, the Iranian navy has not been mentioned in the confrontation with Israel. Is the Tehran regime using its naval fleet and what are its capabilities?

Many see Iran as a largely continental state, with the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman as its first and last lines of defense. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Tehran has worked to build a multi-layered naval force, split between the army and the Revolutionary Guards, combining large ships and small boats, conventional submarines and drones.

Iran does not have a naval fleet capable of competing with the world's great powers, but it does have a specialized force that relies on asymmetric warfare, domestic technology and strategic deployment through advanced bases to become a constant threat to any hostile movement in the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Oman.

The Regular Force: The Iranian Fleet… Past and Present

The Iranian Naval Forces (IRIN) is the official organization responsible for managing the regular fleet, including submarines and large warships. This force includes more than 18,500 soldiers, over 100 ships and submarines, and its operations are spread between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea, where it focuses on protecting territorial waters, securing sea lanes and countering any potential violation of Iranian sovereignty.

According to the Global Firepower 2024 report, Iran’s navy ranks 37th out of the 145 most powerful navies in the world, a ranking that reflects its growing capabilities despite sanctions and technological limitations. This ranking does not make Iran a direct competitor to the superpowers, but it confirms that it possesses an advanced medium naval force capable of asserting itself in its regional sphere.

The most prominent feature of this fleet is its great diversity, which includes:

– Modern destroyers, such as the Zulfiqar, Sahand and Zagros, which are entering service one after another and are designed to launch precision missiles and carry out information missions.

– Alphand and Moj class frigates, some British-built and others Iranian-built, which play a key role in medium-sized naval operations.

– Amphibious assault ships and corvettes, used for troop transport and rapid attacks.

But the most interesting element of this fleet is the submarine fleet, which includes between 19 and 27 submarines, including three Tareq (Kilo)-class diesel-electric submarines that have been used for strategic missions, including laying mines and launching cruise missiles. Iran also has two Fateh-class submarines and a large number of Ghadir-class midget submarines, which are maneuverable in shallow waters.

Submarines: The silent underwater weapon

Although Tehran does not currently have any nuclear-powered submarines, it has been pursuing this goal for years. In 2018, Iranian authorities announced plans to build nuclear-powered submarines, but technology and international sanctions remain obstacles to realizing this ambition.

What Iran's diving fleet has today is a set of units with relatively advanced capabilities.

Tariq class: Russian-built submarines, each 74 meters long, capable of launching cruise missiles or laying mines. Despite their advanced age, they continue to be used for strategic missions.

Fateh class: A locally built submarine that entered service in 2019, equipped with torpedo and missile launch tubes and used primarily in coastal waters.

Ghadir Class: Very small submarines, with a maximum of 23 units, used for special operations and surprise attacks.

Nahang class: Only one submarine, believed to be dedicated to transporting special forces.

Iran is seeking to improve the capabilities of these submarines by installing air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, which will increase their ability to remain underwater for longer periods and give them greater operational capability.

Strategic deployment: Naval bases

Iran's naval bases are spread across two geographic regions: the North (Caspian Sea) and the South (Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman). Each base plays a different role, from manufacturing to logistical support for combat operations.

Bandar Abbas Base: The largest naval deployment center, the headquarters of the Navy General Command and the manufacturing center for ships and submarines.

Jask Base: A first defense point in the Gulf of Oman, with advanced docking positions, and serves to protect economic interests.

Chabahar Base: The only one overlooking the Indian Ocean, it is Iran's gateway to Central Asia.

Bandar-e Anzali Base: The center for submarine manufacturing and protection of oil facilities in northern Iran.

Kharg Base: Garrison of the main oil installations in the Persian Gulf.

Imam Ali Base: In Chabahar, from which reconnaissance and offensive patrols are carried out in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf.

In addition to these bases, there are dedicated IRGC bases, such as the Sirik base near the Strait of Hormuz, and the Abu Musa base on Abu Musa, one of the islands disputed with the UAE, along with Tamb al-Sughra and Tamb al-Kubra. Abu Musa houses anti-missile defense systems and underground fortifications.

The Revolutionary Guard Fleet: Asymmetric Warfare

Unlike the regular fleet, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN) relies on a different type of operation, known as asymmetric warfare, which includes the use of fast missile boats, mine laying, and hit-and-run attacks.

This force includes:

• 10 Houdong boats

• 25 Peykaap II boats

• 10 MK13 boats

• Special units to carry out information and offensive operations

These forces do not have large ships or submarines, but are characterized by their speed and maneuverability, which makes them a constant threat to any hostile naval presence.

Modern equipment and advances in capabilities

As of August 2024, the Iranian Navy has received 2,640 missile and drone systems, including stealth cruise missiles. It has also successfully tested launching cruise missiles from a small submarine, an indication of an evolving offensive capability.

In 2023, an Iranian naval group completed a voyage lasting more than eight months, covering 63,000 kilometers, and reached the Strait of Magellan, a first of its kind. The fleet included the destroyer Dana and the support vessel Makran, in a clear message that Iran wants to expand its reach in international waters.