How big a threat is Iran’s drone carrier to Israel?

Iran has expanded its naval capabilities with the introduction of its first drone carrier, the Shahid Bagheri, into the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fleet. Originally a commercial container ship, the vessel has been converted into a floating platform capable of launching drones and helicopters, a move that analysts say aligns with Iran’s strategy of asymmetric warfare and extended maritime reach.

According to Farzin Nadimi, an expert on Iran’s navy at the Washington Institute, the Shahid Bagheri could serve as a power-projection tool, offering support for anti-piracy and maritime security missions. “It extends Iran’s maritime reach and enables the launch of surveillance drones and helicopters,” Nadimi told The Media Line. The ship, which features a 590-foot runway and can operate for a year without refueling, marks a departure from the IRGC’s traditional reliance on fast-attack craft and coastal missile systems.

While drones launched from the Shahid Bagheri could conduct reconnaissance and even long-range strikes, Nadimi noted that its offensive capabilities remain limited. “It produces too large a footprint for any covert operation and lacks adequate protection, making it vulnerable to modern anti-ship weapons,” he said. This vulnerability could undermine the IRGC’s doctrine of asymmetric naval warfare.

Moreover, the vessel’s deterrence value is questionable. Unlike conventional aircraft carriers, which operate within heavily protected strike groups, the Shahid Bagheri would be an exposed target in any high-intensity conflict. As a result, while the new drone carrier enhances Iran’s naval ambitions, experts suggest its practical impact may be constrained by its inherent weaknesses.