On November 29, reports from Iran's state media indicated that the Sahand destroyer, which capsized during repairs last year, has been officially recommissioned into the Iranian Navy. The floating base named Kurdistan has also been reintroduced.

This initiative aims to "strengthen naval combat capabilities, expand strategic reach, and improve access to international waters," according to Press TV.

The Sahand is a stealth destroyer built in Iran, originally launched in December 2018. It features a helicopter deck, torpedo launchers, anti-aircraft and anti-ship guns, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, along with electronic warfare systems. The destroyer sank last year in shallow waters of the Gulf after a brief repositioning.

As reported by the Tehran Times, the destroyer is named after the “Sahand-class Alvand” frigate that sank during a confrontation with the U.S. Navy in the Gulf in 1988.

The Kurdistan floating base is capable of providing rescue and relief operations, housing large helicopters, and supporting three destroyers on a three-year mission around the world without needing to dock for fuel, as stated by state TV.

Iran has built a significant domestic arms industry in response to international sanctions and embargoes that limit weapons imports. The country launched its first locally-made destroyer in 2010 as part of efforts to modernize naval equipment that largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

In 2021, the Iranian Navy ship Kharg sank after a fire broke out during a training mission in the Gulf of Oman, but there were no reported casualties.