Iran Tests Shahid Soleimani-Class Missile Corvettes in Strait of Hormuz Drills
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has showcased its Shahid Soleimani-class missile corvettes during recent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting a shift in Tehran’s maritime strategy in the region.
During the February drills, Iranian forces demonstrated the launch of a surface-to-air missile from one of the catamaran-style warships, signaling the growing capabilities of the platform as a multi-role naval asset.
The Shahid Soleimani-class vessels are compact but heavily armed missile corvettes designed for fast operations in confined waters. Analysts say the ships are optimized for sea-denial tactics, combining anti-ship missiles with air-defense systems to complicate operations by rival navies.
Defense experts note that while the vessels are unlikely to change the overall naval balance in the Gulf, they could increase operational risks in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of global oil shipments passes.
The development underscores Iran’s broader focus on asymmetric maritime capabilities aimed at deterring foreign intervention and strengthening its ability to disrupt shipping routes in the event of a regional crisis.
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