By Pishtaz | 2025-03-08

As it faces setbacks on multiple fronts -- from the collapse of key allies to struggling proxies and a renewed 'maximum pressure' sanctions campaign -- the Iranian regime has staged a show of force to make itself appear more powerful.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in February unveiled the country's first drone carrier and an array of new drones, AFP reported.

The converted commercial vessel reportedly can carry 60 drones and remain at sea for up to a year while launching long-range missiles and helicopters.

During the unveiling ceremony, IRGC naval commander Alireza Tangsiri boasted that the carrier represents "the largest naval military project" in the Islamic Republic's history.

The vessel claims a 22,000 nautical-mile range and a 180-meter runway capable of launching and recovering various combat and reconnaissance drones, according to IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency.

But "it cannot operate far from Iran's shores if not accompanied with support fleet or advanced anti-air defenses," senior Middle East analyst Ryan Bohl told Breaking Defense, highlighting the carrier's severe operational limitations.

The carrier's demonstration showed a two-foot-long remote-controlled drone that is 10 times smaller than the Qaher models the regime claims it will deploy, intelligence analyst Oliver Alexander said on X.

The regime also unveiled new drone systems during February 19 drills as it struggles to rebuild its defenses, with IRGC Aerospace Force commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh admitting "we have incurred damages in recent events."

These included several suicide drones: the Golaleh, the Katral, the jet-powered Dalahu, the Shahu and the Pandsar, Caspian News reported.

The IRGC also displayed purportedly enhanced versions of its Mohajer-10 and Mohajer-6 drones, alongside new ballistic missiles, including the BM-450 and Fajr-5.

The regime plans to unveil "supersonic" cruise missiles with a claimed 2,000km range developed using artificial intelligence technology, Tangsiri said February 9.

'Destruction in all directions'

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski denounced Tehran for "sending death and destruction in all directions," AFP reported February 24.

Iranian-made drones have been used in Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and in strikes carried out by the Islamic Republic's proxies targeting US forces in Syria and Iraq.

On January 28, 2024, Islamic Republic-backed proxies used a Shahed drone to kill three US service members in Jordan.

"Iran is a serial arsonist that openly nurtures other arsonists who operate in regional countries," said Center for Strategic and International Studies senior adviser Norman Roule, referring to the regime's support of its regional proxies.

"The Islamic Republic is flexing its military muscle after appearing weaker than ever, with its airspace vulnerable after Israeli strikes, Hizbullah weakened and Iranian regional influence waning with the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria," Rosaleen Carroll wrote in Al-Monitor.