An Iranian naval destroyer, the Sahand, experienced a mishap and partially sank in the waters of the Persian Gulf, Iranian media reported on Sunday.
According to the Mehr News Agency, the Sahand, part of Iran’s southern naval fleet, encountered the accident near the port of Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan Province. The latest reports indicate that part of the destroyer has submerged.
The exact nature of the incident remains unclear. The Iranian news agency IRNA quoted a Navy statement saying, “During repairs at the dock, the Sahand lost balance due to water ingress.
Fortunately, the ship began to regain its balance quickly.” The precise timing of the incident has not been disclosed.
Official media released images of the overturned vessel, noting that several individuals were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
This is not the first such incident for Iran’s navy. In June 2021, the navy’s largest vessel, the Kharg, sank in the Gulf of Oman after a mysterious fire, according to semi-official news agencies.
Despite rescue efforts, the logistical support ship, named after a key Iranian oil export terminal, could not be saved, although all crew members evacuated safely.
As the region grapples with escalating tensions, the latest incident raises concerns about the operational readiness and safety protocols within the Iranian navy.
