Iran's New, Massive Tender Ship for Drones Left Port in November. Where Is It Now?

By Ward Clark | 2:51 PM on December 14, 2024

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Iran's navy is generally worth pointing and laughing at, compared to the United States Navy, even as diminished as that service has been over the last few years. But Iran has been leaning into drone technology lately - and we have mysterious drones buzzing around some of the states surrounding the nation's capital.

On Saturday, we learn that the Shahid Bagheri, Iran's new, large drone tender ship, left port in November. Satellite photos spotted it in the Persian Gulf on Thursday.

The question is this: Where is it now?

A newly minted and massive Iranian drone carrier was captured in new satellite images sailing in the Persian Gulf this week — the ship’s first reported sighting since leaving its home port for the first time in mid-November.
The satellite images taken Thursday by commercial operator Maxar Technologies shows three Iranian drone ships in the waters off the country’s coast as theories have swirled in the US that Iran could be behind the mysterious drone sightings across the tri-state area, according to Business Insider.
Iran’s new carrier — the Shahid Bagheri — is a converted shipping container that was outfitted to support drone operations and was last seen on Nov. 12, when it was captured by satellite imagery sitting in Bandar Abbas, the report said.

Now, with regards to our own East Coast drone mystery: If this was indeed the Shahid Bagheri spotted in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, it stands to reason that Iran has not launched the mysterious drones - from this ship. But is it the only one?

Drones, even large fixed-wing military UAVs, can be launched from a smaller, less conspicuous ship than this. And it appears this big drone carrier is staying close to home, at least for now.

The Shahid Bagheri left its home Iranian home port sometime between Nov. 12 and Nov. 28, revealed by satellite imagery that shows an empty dock where the ship once sat, according to another Business Insider report.
The new carrier was believed to have headed straight to the Persian Gulf to partake in naval exercises, the report said.

Of course, trusting Iran to stay in their own backyard is about as smart as sitting down for drinks with Lucrezia Borgia.

Just speculation, mind you, but this Iranian drone tender, we should note, while it superficially resembles an aircraft carrier in satellite photos, is still just a converted cargo ship. It is almost certainly nowhere near the level of sophistication of an American nuclear-powered supercarrier. But it doesn't have to be; this kind of ship has the advantage of being cheap, and it would be surprising if the Iranians intend to stop at just one such ship.

Iran remains the foremost state sponsor of Islamic terror; we also know that Iranian nationals have been attempting to cross our southern border illegally.

We are now in the age of drone warfare. This new technology is proving to be a significant force multiplier. It's not at all clear as to whether our military is trained and equipped to handle this new threat. And it's past time one of these mysterious drones hovering around over several of our states was shot down and examined. We need answers, and shouldn't have to wait until January 20th to get them.