TEHRAN – Last week, Iranian television exposed an underground Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) naval base in the Persian Gulf, which quickly made headlines. The facility housed a large number of fast attack craft and was widely seen as a key element of Iran’s naval strategy, both defensive and offensive.
This view appears to be accurate, as Rear Admiral Alireza Tansiri, commander of the Revolutionary Guards Navy, acknowledged its strategic importance in an exclusive interview with Tehran Times, discussing the development and importance of this base and similar bases: emphasized its role. Protecting Iran’s interests in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
“Over the years, we have carefully studied enemy movements,” Tansiri said. “Guided by the directives of the leaders of the Islamic Revolution to develop naval capabilities commensurate with the values and principles of the Islamic Revolution, we have achieved just that.”
Military officials made the remarks hours before overseeing the start of large-scale military exercises on Friday. These ongoing exercises, which cover vast areas of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, are part of a wider range of exercises launched by various branches of the Iranian military earlier this year.
Tansiri explained that Iran is developing various strategies and weapon systems to counter threats in its southern waters. One such measure includes the deployment of missile-carrying fast attack craft that can be armed with smart mines and rockets and engage in electronic warfare.
“These boats are among the fastest ever produced, and their weapons are characterized by both precision and power,” he explained.
He added that Iran’s strategy is to station these spacecraft in numerous deep underground bases along the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. “While we cannot reveal the exact number of these bases, we can confirm that we have utilized the entire 2,440-kilometre coastline of southern Iran,” Tansiri said.
Tansiri said each fast attack craft is equipped with a dedicated mobile platform, allowing for rapid deployment. “Our adversaries never know when these deadly boats will suddenly engage them. Moreover, it is impossible to precisely locate or destroy these bases. It has also been strengthened.”
The IRGC Navy offered a glimpse of this possibility on Friday. Footage released by the Revolutionary Guards shows part of the exercise in which large numbers of high-speed boats rapidly approach maritime targets and subdue them with direct fire.
Iran’s investment in fast attack craft: Reminiscence of drone success
Iranian military thinkers and manufacturers have built a reputation for innovative solutions, often employing methods overlooked by other countries. A case in point is strategic investment in drone technology, an area that many major powers have long ignored.
Rather than investing solely in expensive fighter jets, Iran is focusing on developing affordable and effective kamikaze drones. These drones cost just a few thousand dollars, can fly hundreds of kilometers, and bring nothing but success to their deployers. Either attack the target or strain the enemy’s finances, forcing it to spend disproportionately expensive air defense assets for interception.
Iran’s drones have become world leaders in this field, and some Western think tanks are concerned that they could change the future of global conflicts. This innovative approach is now being extended to naval capabilities as well. After last week’s unveiling of an underground base full of fast attack craft, many are now wondering whether these vessels will emerge as the next Iranian sensation in the military field.
“To give you an analogy,” explained veteran war correspondent Mehdi Bakhtiari, “imagine a bear being attacked by a wasp. A single sting might not cause much harm, but this swarm of angry insects…” I think these Iranian vessels will do the same. He further elaborated that while the Iranian (Artesh) Navy focuses on operations in distant territories and sea areas, the Revolutionary Guards Navy is responsible for protecting Iranian assets in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz. He pointed out that there is. “Due to the close proximity of all potential targets, the IRGC has selected equipment that does not require constant deployment on the surface of the water.The fast attack craft is housed in a fortified and protected underground base and can be quickly operationalized. Finally, like Iranian drones, these vessels incorporate important new capabilities as a result of careful and intensive development. Masu. ”
Mona Hodjat Ansari