U.S. Central Command confirmed the destruction of the Shahid Bagheri, Iran’s recently commissioned drone and helicopter carrier, during strikes on March 2. The vessel, which had only entered service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy on February 6, 2025, represented a major investment in Iran’s naval power projection capabilities. Converted from a 240-meter container ship over two years, the 40,000-ton carrier featured a 180-meter ski-jump runway and could operate for up to a year at sea without refuelling, according to Iranian naval officials.
Satellite imagery analysis also revealed the destruction of the IRIS Makran, Iran’s first forward base ship, which was struck while moored at Bandar Abbas. The Makran, originally a Japanese-built Aframax crude oil tanker completed in 2010, had been converted into a military vessel capable of supporting helicopter operations and serving as a mothership for special operations forces. With a full-load displacement of approximately 121,000 tons, it was among the largest naval vessels operated by any regional navy. Satellite imagery showed the vessel on fire at its berth, with thick black smoke visible over the central portion of the facility.
