AhlulBayt News Agency: The IRGC Navy has carried out the first-ever launch of the Sayyad‑3G naval air‑defense missile during the “Smart Control” military drills held in the Strait of Hormuz.
Footage released on Saturday showed the missile being fired from the vessel Shahid Sayyad Shirazi, marking the system’s first operational use at sea.
The Sayyad‑3G, a maritime version of Iran’s Sayyad‑3 air‑defense missile, uses a vertical launch system and reportedly has a range of 150 kilometers (93 miles).
Officials said the missile provides medium‑to‑long‑range air‑defense coverage and supports the creation of a regional defensive shield for Shahid Soleimani‑class vessels.
Authorities added that the system can independently detect and engage aerial threats while also functioning within a larger command‑and‑control network, enhancing naval survivability.
With its declared 150‑kilometer range, the Sayyad‑3G is designed to intercept fighter jets, high‑altitude drones, support aircraft, maritime patrol planes, and cruise missiles, adding long‑range defensive capability to Iran’s naval forces.
The three‑day “Smart Control” drills were held in the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes—beginning on February 16. Analysts say expanded air‑defense coverage in this strategic waterway significantly boosts naval defensive depth.
Iran first tested the land‑based Sayyad‑3 missile in December 2016. That version reportedly has a 120‑kilometer range, a six‑meter length, and a weight of around 900 kilograms. The new Sayyad‑3G represents its naval adaptation with vertical launch capability.
The latest test highlights Iran’s continued efforts to strengthen its integrated air and missile defense network, especially in vital maritime zones.
The IRGC Navy began the drills on Monday along Iran’s southern coast, focusing on smart control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The exercises come amid rising regional tensions and repeated U.S. threats to attack Iran if it does not comply with Washington’s nuclear demands.
The United States has deployed warships to waters near Iran, prompting Tehran to warn that any attack—even a single shot—would trigger a massive response against U.S. assets in the region.
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