ANKARA – Iran has launched a domestically-manufactured warship equippedwith an advanced missile system into the Persian Gulf, state media reported.
The 96-meter long Sahand destroyer took its maiden voyage after an officialceremony on Saturday, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The stealth battleship is designed based on domestic technologies asupgraded torpedo launchers, anti-aircraft, anti-surface guns,surface-to-surface, air-to-surface missile system, anti-submarine system,increased operational range, high maneuverability, and electronic systems.
Iranian media said Sahan surpassed Jamaran, an indigenous battleship whichthe Islamic Republic had launched in 2010, with its more powerful enginesand in carrying out maneuvers.
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Saturday’s warship launch comes amid tension between Tehran and Washingtonafter the U.S. re-imposed sanctions on Iran after it unilaterally withdrewfrom a 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and the P5+1 (the fivepermanent UN Security Council members plus Germany).
The 2015 deal places strict restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program inexchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.
