Information AboutIranian Navy |
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The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy is the Naval Force of Iran . Its mission is to escort Iranian shipping in the Persian Gulf and stand ready to disrupt enemy shipping, as it did during the Iran-Iraq war. In the 1970s, Iran planned to extend its naval reach into the Indian Ocean , but this goal was curtailed by the 1979 Revolution, 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War , and limited funding ever since. This has left the navy with a limited ability to project power into the Arabian Sea through submarines and larger surface ships. HISTORY The Iranian Navy has always been the smallest branch of Iran's armed forces. Before 1971, the Iranian Navy operated mostly US and UK equipment. Over the following eight years, the fleet added more modern American and British-made Destroyers , Frigates and many smaller vessels, including Powerboats and Hovercraft . With the fall of the Shah in 1979, the United States levied economic sanctions on Iran, hurting its ability to equip and maintain the military. The Navy was hit even harder than its Army or Air Force, as several of Iran's ships were laid up. Battles fought with Iraq during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War sank or damaged many ships and smaller craft. More damage was done after U.S. forces began escorting Kuwaiti oil tankers during 1988-89's Operation Earnest Will . In September 1988, the minelayer Iran Ajr was captured and scuttled during Operation Prime Chance . On 14 April 1988, Iranian mines nearly sunk the USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) ; four days later, U.S. forces retaliated by sinking the Iranian warships ''Joshan'' and ''Sahand'' and several small armed powerboats in Operation Praying Mantis . The 1990s saw Iran add patrol boats, submarines and surface-launched anti-ship missiles. In place of Western equipment, Iran has been buying from Russia , China , and North Korea . It has engaged in naval exercises with Pakistan and India . MAJOR NAVAL BASES In 1977, the bulk of the fleet was shifted from Khorramshahr to the new headquarters at Bandar-e Abbas . Bushehr was the other main base; smaller facilities were located at Khorramshahr, Khark Island , and Bandar-e Khomeini (formerly known as Bandar-e Shahpur). Bandar-e Anzelli (formerly known as Bandar-e Pahlavi) was the major training base and home of the small Caspian Sea fleet, which consisted of a few patrol boats and a minesweeper. The naval base at Bandar Beheshti (formerly known as Chah Bahar) on the Gulf Of Oman had been under construction since the late 1970s and in late 1987 still was not completed. Smaller facilities were located near the Strait of Hormuz.
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