Iran’s Navy Suffers Setback in Operation Epic Fury

The Impact of Operation Epic Fury on Iran’s Naval Forces

During a significant air campaign targeting Iran, the United States and Israel have managed to disable or destroy approximately 60 Iranian vessels. This substantial loss represents a considerable portion of Iran’s naval capabilities. The operation, named Epic Fury, has led to extensive destruction of Iran’s naval forces, altering the balance of power in the Persian Gulf. Since the campaign began on February 28, US and Israeli forces have conducted a continuous maritime strike campaign aimed at Iranian infrastructure, resulting in the systematic dismantling of Iran’s surface fleet.

According to Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), over 60 Iranian vessels have been destroyed or disabled so far. These include major surface combatants, logistics and command ships, missile and minelaying vessels, small swarm craft, and submarines. This includes vessels from both the regular Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC Navy), which together have around 250–300 ships of various sizes and strengths. The remaining Iranian naval force is now significantly weakened and disorganized, representing a greatly diminished version of its former strength.

Key Iranian Vessels Targeted in the Campaign

Before the initiation of Epic Fury, Iran relied on a maritime doctrine that combined conventional and asymmetric capabilities. This included a few surface combatants, missile boats, swarm craft, submarines, minelaying operations, and naval drones. The core of Iran’s naval strategy was the potential threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world’s global supply flows. In this context, Iran’s Navy was not a blue-water force but rather a regional deterrent that posed a legitimate threat to local shipping lanes.

Now, roughly two weeks into the conflict, several of Iran’s most prominent naval vessels have been destroyed or disabled:

• IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class frigate, was one of Iran’s most capable surface combatants, equipped with anti-ship missiles, radar systems, and helicopter support capabilities. It was reportedly sunk by a US Navy submarine using a Mark 48 torpedo, marking the first combat sinking of a major warship by a US submarine since World War II.

• IRIS Shahid Bagheri, a drone carrier, was a converted commercial vessel designed to launch and support unmanned aerial systems. The Bagheri was built to extend Iran’s drone warfare capabilities at sea—but was destroyed while docked at Bandar Abbas during precision air strikes.

• IRIS Makran, a massive converted tanker serving as a floating logistics hub and forward operating base, providing support for drones, helicopters, and special operations forces; it was heavily damaged during the early days of the campaign.

• IRIS Jamaran corvette was a domestically produced combat ship armed with missiles and air-defense systems; it was destroyed during initial strike waves targeting naval bases.

• The Sahand and Sabalan frigates, older but still capable surface combatants, were both reported struck or destroyed during strikes on naval facilities.

Beyond major warships, the campaign has also targeted Iran’s asymmetric fleet, with confirmed losses including 16 minelaying vessels destroyed near the Strait of Hormuz and 10 additional mine ships destroyed at port—as well as numerous fast attack craft used in swarm tactics. These smaller vessels were central to Iran’s strategy of overwhelming larger ships through numbers and surprise.

The Shattered Ambitions of Iran’s Navy

Strategically, the destruction of Iran’s fleet severely weakens its ability to threaten the Strait of Hormuz; without its surface ships and mine warfare capability, sustaining a blockade becomes far more difficult. The loss of vessels like Shahid Bagheri and Makran functionally ends Iran’s ambitions for an expeditionary navy.

Iran still possesses a limited submarine force and coastal missile launchers and small irregular craft. However, these assets are paltry relative to the fleet that existed just two weeks ago. In sum, the Iranian navy has effectively collapsed, forcing a short-term doctrinal shift, and potentially, a long-term rebuild that could take decades.

About the Author

Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.