These ships could be very effective in choking off the Strait of Hormuz—which Iran has long threatened if the United States or Israel launch airstrikes against their suspected nuclear weapons facilities.
War seems to be fast approaching between the nuclear-arming Islamic Republic of Iran and the coalition of Israel and the United States. Tehran is unwilling—or at least so far demonstrating outward unwillingness—to back down in the face of what most would assume to be an overwhelming threat.
Staring down U.S. advanced B-2 long-range stealth bombers, Israeli F-35I “Adir” fifth-generation warplanes, and bunker busting bombs, Iran is trying to display that it is undaunted. Rather than bowing in the face of Western pressure, Tehran is doubling down on displays of resistance.
What Kind of Ship Is Iran Building?
A recent announcement from the Iranian navy highlights this commitment to such resistance at all costs. Southern Iran is home to the Bandar Bahonar naval facility. At that facility is a massive, unidentified warship that is much larger and more heavily armed than Iran’s traditional Shahid Soleimani-class missile corvettes.
The Shahid Soleimani-class missile corvettes—named for shahid (martyr) IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, who the United States killed in a targeted airstrike in January 2020—are the primary surface combatant of the Iranian navy. Essentially, these vessels are floating missile trucks designed primarily for coastal defense. If this new, unknown ship being built at Bandar Bahonar is larger than the Shahid Soleimani-class, and can carry more missiles, this is a real problem.
The Shahid Soleimani-class Corvette
Shahid Soleimani-class corvettes are distinguished by their catamaran (twin-hull) design, a departure from most naval warships. These boats are built for agility and stability in rough seas, capable of operating in extreme weather conditions. The hull is constructed from lightweight aluminum rather than steel, reducing the weight of the warship and enhancing its stealth features by lowering the radar cross-section.
The Shahids are powered by four domestically developed diesel engines and can achieve a top speed of 32 knots (37 miles) per hour. These ships boast an operational range of 5,754 miles, enabling extended missions across the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea. They feature a helipad for a five-ton helicopter and a crane system beneath it, capable of deploying up to three fast attack boats. This capability enhances their role in multi-domain operations, supporting Iran’s signature swarm tactics while providing reconnaissance and rapid response options.
A key innovation of the Shahid Soleimani-class corvettes is the inclusion of Iran’s first vertical launching system (VLS), featuring six larger cells for surface-to-surface cruise missiles and 16 smaller cells for surface-to-air missiles, including four long-range missiles—likely the Noor or Ghadir systems—and two short-range missiles, possibly the Nasir.
Additionally, the vessels are armed with the Ghadr-474 cruise missile, which has a reported range of 1,243 miles—significantly extending the strike range of these Iranian corvettes.
Kosar short-range air defense systems, along with 16 Navvab and six Sayyad-3 surface-to-air missiles, capable of engaging aerial targets up to 186 miles away. Close-in defense is provided by 30mm autocannon, four-to-six 20mm or 23mm Gatling guns, along with chaff dispensers to counter missile threats.
These systems make the corvettes a formidable platform against drones, helicopters, and other aerial threats, addressing a critical vulnerability in Iran’s overall naval arsenal.
Shahid Soleimani-class corvettes also come with advanced electronic warfare and surveillance systems, enabling intelligence gathering, surface, subsurface, and air traffic monitoring. Yet some of the ships in the class, such as the Shahid Hassan Bagheri, still lack their main fire-control radars. The Shahid Sayyad Shirazi, as another example, has been equipped with a radar previously used on the Mowj-class frigate Sahand, suggesting incremental improvements in sensor capabilities.
The corvettes’ long-range cruise missiles, such as the Ghadr-474, pose a serious threat to foreign vessels and coastal targets across the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea. Their ability to deploy fast attack boats and helicopters enhances Iran’s asymmetric warfare capabilities, allowing coordinated strikes and reconnaissance missions. The stealth design, while not foolproof, complicates detection and targeting, giving the Iranians a perceived tactical advantage in regional conflicts.
These ships could be very effective in choking off the Strait of Hormuz, something that Tehran has long planned to do if the United States or Israel launch airstrikes against their suspected nuclear weapons facilities. The Iranians are building more units beyond the four Shahid Soleimani-class corvettes they already possess. The corvettes, in certain contexts, could be very dangerous for regional security.
And if the Iranians are building an entirely new warship that is larger with a greater missile carrying capacity than what the Shahids possess, it indicates that Iran’s long-term threat to regional security will remain strong. The United States must be ready to deal with these warships decisively if war breaks out.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / FOTOGRIN.
