Iran claims to add long range ‘cruise’ missiles to ships

Iran is seeking to increase threats to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman by adding cruise missiles to its ships, pro-regime media has claimed. According to reports on Tasnim News, Iran’s R.-Adm. Ali Reza Tangsiri said the domestic cruise missile ‘Qadr-474’ – with a range of 2,000 km. – had been added to ships. The original article also praised the IRGC for its involvement in seizing an oil tanker and putting UAVs and other missiles on its boats.

Iran's naval challenges

The Iranian navy is separate from the navy under the guise of the IRGC. The report adds that cruise missiles can now be used from the converted container ship Shahid Mahdavi, a large ship – 240 m. ship that weights 2,100 tons – that was added to Iran’s navy in March; all part of Iran’s naval program, which generally can’t afford new ships and thus must rely on converted or older ships. The addition of cruise missiles to what is essentially a commercial tanker shows Iran’s challenges, not its successes. READ MORE