The US Navy struck Iran’s Shahid Soleimani-class missile catamaran corvette in the Gulf on March 8, 2026.
The corvette, identified as IRIS Haj Qasem, was struck while anchored off Bandar Lengeh. Visual analysis of imagery released on social media confirms the identity of the vessel. According to the claims at open sources, a total of three vessels were struck, but only the catamaran corvette was visually verified. The sources claimed that a second Shahid Soleimani-class corvette was also hit during the action, but the third vessel struck has not been officially identified.
The Shahid Soleimani-class represents the pinnacle of Iranian naval technology. Built on a composite catamaran hull designed for reduced radar signature, vessels of this class can reach speeds of up to 45 knots and are equipped with both Nawab and Sayyad cruise missile systems. The class also carries the Sayyad-3G surface-to-air missile, a long-range naval air-defense variant first publicly demonstrated during exercises in February 2026.
The strikes off Bandar Lengeh follow a devastating week for Iran’s missile catamaran fleet. On March 3, the lead ship of the class, IRIS Soleimani, was sunk. The following day, IRIS Shahid Sayyad Shirazi was confirmed to be burning at sea after being struck near Bandar Abbas. These cumulative losses have reportedly reduced Iran’s active fleet of advanced missile catamarans to just three or four operational vessels.
The latest action is part of Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israeli military campaign that commenced on February 28. US Central Command confirmed on March 5, 2026, that over 30 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed since the operation’s launch. Targets have included the Jamaran-class frigate sunk at Chah Bahar, the drone carrier IRIS Shahid Bahman Bagheri, and the forward base ship IRINS Makran, which was seen burning at Bandar Abbas.
Analysts note that the US strategy of targeting vessels in port has proved highly effective, exploiting the fleet’s vulnerability. Despite these losses, Iran retains asymmetric capabilities including fast-attack craft, anti-ship missiles, and unmanned systems that continue to pose a threat in the confined waters of the Persian Gulf.
