Tel Aviv: The US Navy has sunk at least nine Iranian navy vessels, including a confirmed Jamaran-class corvette at Chah Bahar.
US Central Command confirmed strikes beginning February 28, 2026, targeting Iranian naval assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump claimed nine ships sunk and naval headquarters damaged, but no full fleet destruction verified.
Iran’s fleet includes over 100 vessels (frigates, corvettes, submarines, patrol boats), with the Moudge/Jamaran-class as key surface combatants—only a fraction lost so far.
The US Navy’s operation is part of broader campaign hitting IRGC sites, air defences. Iran reports casualties but retains capabilities.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) states that American forces struck the Iranian drone carrier IRIS Shahid Bagheri during the initial hours of Operation Epic Fury on or around March 1, 2026. This was in response to Iranian claims of sinking a US aircraft carrier, which CENTCOM called false propaganda.
The Shahid Bagheri, a converted commercial vessel operated by Iran’s IRGC Navy for drone and helicopter operations, was hit early in the operation. No confirmation exists yet on whether it was fully sunk; reports describe it as “struck,” with further details pending.
Earlier incidents in February 2026 involved US forces shooting down Iranian drones near carriers like the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Iran in recent years made big efforts to increase its navy’s capabilities.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
