U.S. forces have released new footage detailing a strike against an Iranian vessel modified to serve as a "drone carrier," a commercial ship repurposed by Tehran to launch ballistic missiles and suicide drones, according to reports by The Maritime Executive. The visuals, published by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), depict a flat-decked Iranian vessel sustaining two impacts—one near the midsection and another toward the aft port side—which ignited a fire that persisted into Thursday evening, U.S. time. CENTCOM confirmed that the offensive action took place on March 5. The vessel's configuration strongly matches that of the Iranian ship "Baqeri," which CENTCOM had previously announced striking on the first day of engagements. This identification is supported by the presence of a distinctive angled launch ramp, a unique feature among Iranian vessels modified for drone deployment. Iran reportedly operates several similar maritime assets, including the "IRINS Shahid Rudaki" and "IRINS Shahid Mahdavi." Furthermore, the larger "IRINS Makkran," constructed on an oil tanker hull and equipped with a helicopter landing pad, previously sustained damage to its command center during recent confrontations. In a related development, Commander of U.S. Central Command, General Brad Cooper, announced that American forces have destroyed over 30 Iranian warships to date. This tally includes the frigate "IRINS Dena," which was sunk by a U.S. attack submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka earlier this week. |
