TEHRAN — Iran on Thursday inaugurated its first drone-carrier warship, saying the vessel is capable of operating in oceans far from its mainland.
The vessel, manned by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, can carry several squadrons of drones as well as helicopters and cruise missiles. Named Shahid Bagheri, it’s capable of launching cruise missiles.
With a 180-meter-long runway for drones, the vessel can travel up to 22,000 nautical miles without needing to refuel in ports. 
Footage broadcast by national TV on the inauguration showed a number of helicopters and drones on the warship’s runway. The vessel has a capacity of 60 drones.
IRGC chief Gen. Hussein Salami said at the ceremony that the warship can travel “independently” in seas for up to one year.
Iran needs to increase its deterrence capacity to prevent war, he said, stressing that Iran doesn’t wish to wage war with any country.
“Iran is not considered a threat to any country, but we do not bow before threat by any power,” Gen. Salami said.
Chief of the IRGC Navy Adm. Ali Reza Tangsiri said it took more than two years to build the warship from the commercial vessel.
“The addition of this ship to our fleet is an important step in increasing the defense and deterrence capability of Iran in distant waters and in maintaining our national security interests,” Tangsiri added.
The ship, converted from a commercial vessel and described as the “largest naval military project” in the history of the Islamic Republic, also has a hospital and facilities such as a gym for its crew.
The ship is different from previous IRGC warships because it can launch and retrieve larger drones such as the Qaher, a miniaturized drone version of a local fighter jet.
The warship also holds fast-attack craft and unmanned submarines, in addition to short-range anti-ship cruise missiles.
The chief of the Iranian armed forces, General Muhammad Bagheri, who was also present at the ceremony, described the vessel as “a mobile base that can operate self-sufficiently throughout the world’s waters.”
He said the Islamic Republic plans to continue its powerful presence in international waters to ensure full security for Iranian ships.
“Just like foreign naval ships that operate close to our territorial waters, citing international maritime law, we also reserve the right under international law to have presence in the international waters and right up to the edge of territorial waters of all coasts likewise,” he said.

Bagheri said Iranian scientists and knowledge-based firms are currently capable of producing more than 90 percent of defense and militarily equipment needed in the country.
The top general said Iran, which enjoys an exceptional geographical position and has a great and brave nation, will certainly “turn into a big power in the region and a prominent power at the global level.”
Last month, Iran’s conventional navy received its first signal intelligence ship.
Iran on Sunday unveiled a new ballistic missile capable of reaching targets up to 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles) away during a ceremony attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian. That puts the occupying regime of Israel within range of the missile.
Iran has long vowed to boost its presence on seas worldwide. Since 1992, Iran began a military self-sufficiency plan under which it has produced its own submarines, jet fighters and military tanks.
The unveiling of the carrier coincides with an annual 10-day celebration of the Islamic Revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed shah of Iran.
Since the return of U.S. President Donald Trump, who pursued a “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran during his first term, the Iran has conducted multiple shows of military strength.
The armed forces have launched large-scale military exercises across the country and showcased underground military bases in recent days.