Iran's armed fast attack craft (Fast Attack Craft - FAC) are a core element of its asymmetric warfare strategy. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) emphasizes using numerous small boats to launch "swarm tactics," aiming to confuse and disable the defense systems of larger warships.
Technical details and armaments of the fast attack boats blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
Regarding engines, Iran has faced sanctions for over 46 years, cutting off Western-made ship engines, especially high-quality German models. Consequently, Iran develops its own high-performance diesel engines domestically, adapting engines from high-speed racing boats to achieve speeds beyond those of conventional warships.
Weapons
Guided missiles: such as the Nasr-1 (range 35–50 km) and the long-range Abu-Mahdi missile.
Close-range weapons include 107 mm multiple rocket launchers (MRLS), 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, and 20 mm Gatling guns for self-defense and engaging small boats.
Camouflage: newer models like the Shahid Soleimani and Seraj-1 classes use fiberglass or aluminum materials and feature catamaran (twin-hull) designs to reduce radar reflection (stealth).
Decisiveness and attack strategies
Swarm tactics: deploying dozens of fast boats simultaneously encircling a target from multiple directions to overload and exhaust the enemy's defense systems (Saturation Attack).
Hit-and-run attacks: leveraging speeds up to 110 knots in some models to approach within 30–40 km, launch missiles, then swiftly retreat to minimize retaliation risk.
Geographical advantage: operations often occur in the Strait of Hormuz and coastal areas with many islands, allowing small boats to hide from radar and launch ambushes easily.
Cost effectiveness: these boats are inexpensive compared to large warships. Losing a few fast boats to destroy or damage aircraft carriers or destroyers is considered a strategic victory for Iran.
Heydar-110
Maximum speed 110 km/h; main engine undisclosed. Primary armament: two anti-ship missiles (Nasr-1 family). Operational range not specified.
Seraj-1
Maximum speed 130 km/h; main engine adapted from Bladerunner 51 racing boats. Main weapons: 107 mm multiple rocket launchers, 12.7 mm machine guns. Operational use: coastal patrol and rapid attack boat.
Peykaap III
Maximum speed 96 km/h; main engines: two diesel engines with 2,400 horsepower. Main armaments: Kowsar or Nasr anti-ship missiles (2 units), torpedoes. Combat range data unavailable.
Zolfaghar
Maximum speed 60 km/h; main engine unspecified. Armaments include anti-ship missiles and torpedoes for surface ship destruction. The 2025 model incorporates air defense missiles.
Shahid Soleimani (Corvette)
Iran's latest warship model with a maximum speed of 60 km/h; powered by four domestically produced turbo diesel engines. Armed with multiple missile types (anti-ship cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles) and Gatling guns. Operational range approximately 5,000 nautical miles. The IRGCN employs a "Sea Denial" strategy to close the Strait of Hormuz using a combination of new warships and shore-based weapons.
Key warships controlling the area (2026)
Shahid Soleimani-class corvette: a modern warship recently introduced and used in the "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz" exercise in February 2026. This catamaran-type vessel features strong radar stealth capabilities and a vertical launch system (VLS) for anti-ship and long-range air defense missiles (Sayyad-3G).
Shahid Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis-class: a smaller (300-ton) fast boat emphasizing high maneuverability and equipped with 14 anti-ship missiles. Designed primarily for patrol and area denial.
Tactics and supplementary weapons for closing the strait
Fast Attack Craft (FAC): Iran deploys hundreds of missile-armed fast boats at 16 strategic points around Larak Island, prepared to launch swarm attacks if violations occur.
Drones and sea mines: reports indicate Iran has begun deploying sea mines and using unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to attack oil tankers attempting to pass through the strait.
Shore-launched missiles: the closure strategy includes not only boats but also cruise missiles launched from coastal bases to accurately strike maritime targets.
Iran's warships and fast boats carry missiles with operational ranges and destructive power tailored to mission types. The latest 2026 data includes:
Anti-ship missiles
Designed to destroy surface targets ranging from patrol boats to aircraft carriers.
Short-range (25–50 km): Nasr-1 and Nasir families, installed on Heydar-110 fast boats, with warheads around 130 kg.
Medium-range (120–300 km): Noor, Ghader, and Ghadir missiles mounted on Shahid Soleimani-class corvettes. These sea-skimming missiles evade radar and have extended ranges of 700–1,000+ km, capable of striking as far as the Arabian Sea. The latest Ghadr-474 reportedly reaches up to 2,000 km.
Surface-to-air missiles
Installed on new warships to defend against aircraft formations or drones. The Sayyad-3G missile, launched via vertical launch systems (VLS) on Shahid Soleimani-class ships, has an operational range of about 150 km.
Strategic and new weapons (2026)
Hypersonic missile (Fattah-1): Iran claims speeds of Mach 13–15, designed to penetrate air defense systems.
Iran is negotiating to purchase the Chinese CM-302 supersonic missile, with a 290 km range, to enhance its ability to strike U.S. naval fleets decisively.
Latest situation (4 March 2026): Iran has officially closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to attacks by the U.S. and Israel. Although there is no full physical blockade, threats against all ships have caused most shipping companies to halt transit, reducing waterway traffic by over 90% and immediately driving global oil prices higher.