Tensions with Iran: Tehran's Navy a Threat to the US

Although Iran's warship fleet is outdated, it possesses many fast attack craft in group tactics, making it very dangerous to large warships of the US Navy.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and called for new sanctions against Tehran, which could lead to unpredictable developments in the Middle East, especially oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, where the Iranian Navy is present.

Small but dangerous

According to National Interest magazine, the Iranian Navy is one of the smallest but most “aggressive” forces in the Persian Gulf region. Recently, the Iranian Navy has frequently carried out “harassment” activities against US warships operating in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s current navy is small compared to some countries in the region. However, it is still formidable with its home-grown warships, coastal defense missiles, and agile attack missile boats. The Persian Gulf, home to the world’s most important shipping lane, passes through Iran’s territorial waters. If anything goes wrong, Iran could use this force to blockade the world’s vital shipping lane.

The Iranian Navy possesses hundreds of fast-attack missile boats built in a “swarm” tactic to create overwhelming numbers to counter sophisticated US weapons and technology. The high-speed missile boats combined with coastal defense systems with a range of hundreds of kilometers will help Iran control the Persian Gulf, especially the Strait of Hormuz.

Fast-attack missile boats are among Iran's most dangerous weapons. Photo: Scout.

The history of Iran's armed forces has focused primarily on land power, followed by air power. The navy is a third priority. In the 1970s, the Royal Iranian Navy had only four destroyers equipped with Sea Killer and Seacat anti-ship missiles. These warships were supported by 25 patrol boats, six minesweepers, and two landing ships.

After the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the Royal Iranian Navy was renamed the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN). The new government openly opposed Washington, leading to the failure of previous naval modernization plans.

During the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988, the war was mainly fought on land and in the air, but the navies of both countries showed their danger by attacking oil tankers at sea. The US Navy conducted an intervention campaign that led to a confrontation with the Iranian Navy.

Iran planted a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, causing heavy damage to the US destroyer USS Samuel B. Roberts. President Ronald Reagan ordered the US Navy to conduct a punitive strike campaign against the Iranian Navy in the region. Operation Praying Mantis caused heavy damage to the Iranian Navy with 5 warships sunk and 3 ships severely damaged.

Promote self-built warships

For decades, Iran has struggled with Western sanctions over its controversial nuclear and missile programs. Despite considerable external pressure, Tehran has invested heavily in its defense industry, especially shipbuilding.

In the 2000s, Iran began building new Moudge-class missile frigates, displacing 1,500 tons. Two have been put into service out of a plan to build seven. Iran is also building a new 7,500-ton destroyer, the Khalije Fars. These warships are all equipped with long-range anti-ship missiles made in China.

Qader coastal defense system test-fires during an exercise. Photo: YPA.

Over the past 10 years, Iran has been accelerating the “rocketization” of its warships with Chinese-made C-704 and C-802 long-range anti-ship weapons, some of which are Iranian-made versions based on missiles imported from abroad.

IRIN also possesses Russian-built Kilo-class attack submarines, one of the world’s most feared underwater killers. Iran is also building its own mini-submarines to build a large underwater attack fleet.

Iran has a long coastline along the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which makes coastal defense systems a dangerous weapon for warships. Iran possesses many coastal defense systems using C-802 anti-ship missiles, or domestically produced Ghadir and Qader missiles with ranges of 120 and 200 km respectively, allowing control of the entire Strait of Hormuz.

In addition to the Iranian Navy, the Iranian armed forces have another naval force, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC). This force operates separately from the IRIN, which is a rare type of organization in the world. The IRGC is responsible for defending Iran and controlling activities in the western part of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRIN is responsible for the eastern part of the strait and the seas beyond.

The IRGC focuses mainly on “swarm” tactics with its main weapon being fast attack missile boats that attack at close range. IRIN invests in large warships to carry out long-range defense missions. Iran maintains two naval forces in parallel, although overlapping in terms of management, but creates diverse and complex attack capabilities.

Kyle Mizokami, a foreign policy analyst, commented that this force, although small, is a very powerful threat to any navy that intends to stand in their way.

Iran conducts simulated drills to sink US aircraft carrierDozens of Iranian Navy high-speed patrol boats conducted drills simulating an attack on a US aircraft carrier.

According to Zing.vn