Iran Has Lost Its Only Expeditionary Ship, INS Makran – What Was It Like?

An “anti-ayatollah” coalition has struck INS Makran, Iran’s only expeditionary ship.

A satellite image published by defense analyst Joseph Dempsey shows the vessel at the naval base in Bandar Abbas. The image reveals a fire in the ship’s superstructure – the main upper section that houses the bridge and command areas. Key compartments, including the engine room, are located beneath it.

The ship likely sustained critical damage and may be beyond repair, effectively rendering it destroyed.

It remains unclear who launches the strike, though the involvement of the United States has not been ruled out.

Satellite imagery from @Planet shows Bandar Abbas naval base in Iran partially covered in black smoke following reported strikes

(02 March 2026, 10:58UTC) pic.twitter.com/idDAVJxY3X

— Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) March 2, 2026

Previously, President Donald Trump stated that as part of Operation Epic Fury, Iran had lost at least nine vessels.

Satellite imagery from Iran’s Konarak naval base indicates that three ships were sunk: the light frigate IRIS Jamaran of the Moudge class, as well as the corvettes IRIS Bayandor and IRIS Naghdi of the Bayandor class.

Three more vessels, including the auxiliary ship Delvar and two Hendijan-class patrol boats, were also likely destroyed, although there is currently no clear visual confirmation.

INS Makran

INS Makran is an Iranian expeditionary ship converted from the oil tanker Al Buhaira, which was built in Japan. The vessel was designed to support long-range naval operations by the Iranian Navy far from its shores and serves as a forward floating base.

Al Buhaira was originally launched on September 10, 2009, at the Sumitomo Heavy Industries shipyard in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Construction was completed on March 8, 2010.

According to Bloomberg, UAE-based energy trader FAL Oil Co. secured a $62.4 million loan in July 2010 from the German bank DVB to refinance the construction of Al Buhaira and another tanker.

The vessel belonged to the Aframax class and was capable of carrying up to around 100,000 tons of oil. Its overall length was 229.6 meters, with a beam of 42 meters. Deadweight tonnage amounted to 105,319 tons, and gross tonnage was 55,909 tons.

After coming under Iranian control, the tanker was converted at the naval base in Bandar Abbas. In its new configuration, the ship was launched in November 2020, with sea trials conducted from December 9 to 14, 2020.

Since then, the vessel was actively used by the Iranian regime, including in European waters. For example, in July 2021, it operated in the area of the English Channel.