The United States' systematic destruction of the Iranian navy continued with a strike on the corvette "Shahid Sayed Shirazi," filmed ablaze off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.
It is unclear how the vessel was hit, but based on the nature of the strike and the fire that broke out, it may have been targeted by an armed drone. The ship's stern was visible burning in footage that circulated online, with black smoke intensifying until it engulfed the entire vessel.
Video: The submarine's strike on the Iranian frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka. Credit: US Central Command
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that American forces had sunk another vessel of that class, the "Shahid Soleimani." Hegseth also announced the sinking of the frigate "Dana" off the coast of Sri Lanka by an American submarine. In addition to Hegseth's statement, the US military released footage showing the strike on the frigate through the periscope of the submarine Georgia, which carried out the attack off Sri Lanka.
The "Shahid Sayed Shirazi" corvette was launched in 2024 and was built entirely in Iran, including the missile technology it was equipped with. The vessel carried anti-ship cruise missiles as well as anti-aircraft missiles. It also featured a helicopter landing pad and several anti-aircraft guns. The advanced design and sophisticated weaponry aboard "Soleimani"-class vessels made them the pride of the Iranian navy, and they were showcased in exercises and regime propaganda videos in which Iran threatened the US Navy.
