Iran Unveils First Drone-Carrier Warship to Strengthen Naval Capabilities

Iran has officially inaugurated its first-ever drone-carrier warship, the *Shahid Bagheri*, a move aimed at expanding its naval reach far beyond its mainland, state media reported on Thursday.

The warship, operated by the paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, has been repurposed from a commercial vessel and outfitted with advanced military technology. It is capable of carrying multiple drone squadrons, helicopters, and cruise missiles. According to the official IRNA news agency, the vessel boasts a 180-meter-long runway designed to support aerial operations.

State television footage of the inauguration showed at least four helicopters and three drones stationed on the warship’s deck, signaling Iran’s growing emphasis on unmanned aerial warfare. The *Shahid Bagheri* is reportedly capable of launching cruise missiles and has a range of 22,000 nautical miles without the need for refueling at port, enabling long-term independent operations at sea.

At the unveiling ceremony, IRGC Chief Gen. Hossein Salami emphasized that the warship was designed to bolster Iran’s deterrence capabilities rather than provoke conflict. “we will not bow before threats from any power, But Iran is not a threat to any country,” Salami declared. He also highlighted the vessel’s ability to remain at sea for up to a year without external support.

Iran’s unveiling of the *Shahid Bagheri* comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, where Tehran has faced increasing scrutiny over its military advancements. While Iranian officials maintain that their defense strategy is purely defensive, the deployment of a drone-carrier warship is expected to raise concerns among regional and global adversaries.