(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — For the first time, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly carried out a long-range mission using the converted merchant vessel “Shahid Mahdavi,” which crossed the Equator and entered the Southern Hemisphere.
According to reports by the Iranian news agency Tasnim, this marks the first time the vessel has been involved in a long-range mission, though the specific destination and purpose of the mission were not disclosed.
The operation comes shortly after the Houthi armed group announced that it would begin targeting merchant ships traversing the Mediterranean to deliver cargo to Israeli ports.
Iranian authorities also broadcast a video showing the “Shahid Mahdavi” launching the “Dezful” ballistic missile, capable of hitting targets up to 1,000 km away.
It is believed that the missile and its launch system were housed in containers on board the IRGC-operated vessel, which has a capacity of 41,000 tons and a range of 18,000 nautical miles.
This represents an extension of operations and actions by the Houthi group, which previously only targeted merchant ships heading to Israeli ports via the Red Sea.
The “Shahid Mahdavi,” operated by the IRGC, is equipped with cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and an air defense system.
It sails in international waters.
In recent months, the Houthi group has targeted merchant ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea with missiles and suicide drones, causing significant losses to shipping companies.
According to the news agency, the “Shahid Mahdavi” joined the IRGC in March of last year and has been deployed to the Gulf of Aden since then.
Originally a merchant ship, it was modified to perform long-range operations and is equipped with advanced features including three-dimensional phased-array radar, missiles, communication systems, and sophisticated electronic warfare systems.
Additionally, the vessel is equipped with helicopters, drones, and speedboats.
In February, the IRGC confirmed that it had successfully launched two long-range ballistic missiles from the “Shahid Mahdavi” capable of striking targets up to 1,700 km away.
This event marked the first time the “Shahid Mahdavi” successfully launched ballistic missiles in the Gulf of Oman.
Major General Hossein Salami, a commander of the IRGC, emphasized that the successful launch of ballistic missiles from the “Shahid Mahdavi” has further expanded the IRGC’s naval capabilities, enabling it to deploy anywhere in the world.
“Our warships will be present at any location worldwide, allowing us to launch guided missiles. There is no safe place for anyone who seeks to create instability against us,” he stated at the time.
In November 2020, the IRGC revealed plans to deploy military vessels, including modified merchant ships, to the northern Indian Ocean. — DSA