What is the relationship between Iran's first drone carrier being launched and the US once again exerting pressure on it?

After two and a half years, Iran successfully changed the mission of the "Shahid Beheshti" merchant ship to a drone carrier, and incorporated it into the Revolutionary Guard Navy last Thursday, becoming a mobile naval platform capable of conducting various air operations at sea.

Since President Trump returned to the White House, the tensions between Israel and the United States have intensified, with Israel also threatening to attack its nuclear facilities. The move by Tehran to increase this drone carrier (now renamed "Shahid Beheshti Bagheri") aims to enhance its defensive and deterrent capabilities, as drones play an increasingly significant role in modern conflicts.

General Ali Reza Tangsiri, Chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy, stated at the launching ceremony of the first drone carrier, "This multi-purpose warship is one of the largest naval military projects since the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic."

Specifications and Functions

This drone carrier is 240 meters long and 21 meters high, capable of operating all year round far from the coast in international waters without refueling. General Tangsiri said that the aircraft can also operate a large number of advanced drones and helicopters, and can launch long-range missiles, in addition to being equipped with electronic warfare equipment.

On the eve of the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution (February 10, 1979, which overthrew the Pahlavi regime), Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff, described this domestically produced drone carrier, which can launch and recover fast light combat boats, as a "mobile base that can operate independently in global seas".

The Tasnim News Agency, closely related to the Revolutionary Guard, revealed that this two-deck ship can carry 60 drones and 30 missile launchers, including short-range and medium-range air defense weapons, long-range artillery, aerial intelligence and surveillance equipment, as well as long-range land-to-sea cruise missiles.

The agency also revealed that the ship is equipped with operating rooms, intensive care units, dental clinics and other medical facilities, as well as multifunctional gyms and football fields with artificial grass.

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Combat Management

Military experts, retired Colonel Mohammad Reza Mohammadie of the Revolutionary Guard, believe that Iran's drone carrier is an achievement that will simultaneously enhance the country's deterrence and offensive capabilities, as it is a combined operational force that takes on the task of protecting distant national interests through monitoring, data collection, and offensive operations.

Mr. Mohammadie stated in a statement to Al Jazeera that, given its proximity to the battlefield and its possible operational range of 22,000 nautical miles, the country will manage the drone carrier as a floating base on the high seas to conduct high-sea combat, increasing the strategic depth of the Islamic Republic of Iran and making it an influential participant far from its territorial waters.

Mr. Mohammadie said that drones and helicopters may occasionally join Iran's drone carrier on the high seas depending on the situation.

He confirmed that the design of the unmanned carrier is intended to respond to threats such as the presence of hostile warships, piracy, and ensuring the safety of merchant ships.

This retired Revolutionary Guard commander introduced that the drones aboard the "Shahid Bagheri" are equipped with jet engines and stealth systems, enabling them to fly continuously for more than the range of American stealth fighters, to counter the challenge posed by American aircraft carriers.

This former Revolutionary Guard commander revealed that before implementing the second "True Promise Operation", Israel used advanced drones to locate defense systems on occupied Palestinian territories, which was part of the operation in response to Tel Aviv's assassination of several resistance movement leaders in Lebanon and Gaza.

Extreme Pressure

On the other hand, former Revolutionary Guard commander, retired Brigadier General Hussein Kanaani Moghaddam noticed that Iran intends to include the drone carrier in the Revolutionary Guard Navy to coordinate with the decision of the US Treasury announced last Thursday to impose sanctions on individuals and tankers under the pretext of helping Iran export oil to China.

Kanaani Moghaddam continued in an interview with Al Jazeera that the launching of the "Shahid Bagheri" carrier indicates that Iran has previously planned to counteract the sanction policies, especially the "maximum pressure" on Iran's economy. This carrier is the first of a series of integrated projects, including operating multiple drone carriers, aircraft carriers, and ballistic missile ships.

He believes that the Revolutionary Guard plans to strengthen its presence in international waters and strategic straits, indicating its determination to "strike pirates, especially organized piracy supported by governments and official regimes, enhance its deterrence and offensive capabilities to counter threats against national interests."

This retired Revolutionary Guard brigadier general believes that Tehran will increase its strategic depth in the coming period by launching multiple drones and aircraft carriers, and will also get closer to its allies in the resistance axis through its navy fleet.

Kanaani Moghaddam concluded that the Iranian military's launch of more naval vessels and strategic weapons reflects the position of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei threatened on Friday, "If the US attacks the security of the Iranian people, we will not hesitate to attack their country's security."

Sources: Al Jazeera

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844467148586057/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.