Iran Navy IRIS Haj Qasem Destroyed
Event Report
Navy
| Date | March 8, 2026 |
| Country | 🇮🇷 Iran |
| Force | Navy |
| Conflict | 2026 Iran Conflict |
| Location | Bandar Lengeh, Iran |
| Ship Class | Shahid Soleimani |
| Ship Name | IRIS Haj Qasem |
| Event type | Destroyed -1 |
Description
Struck by U.S. Navy forces while anchored off Bandar Lengeh in the Persian Gulf on 8 March 2026 during Operation Epic Fury. Naval News identified the vessel as IRIS Haj Qasem through visual analysis of imagery circulated online. On 11 March, CENTCOM confirmed the destruction of the entire Shahid Soleimani class, confirming Haj Qasem as a total loss. The Shahid Soleimani class was Iran's most advanced indigenous warship design, a missile catamaran corvette built for high speed and reduced radar signature, armed with Nawab and Sayyad cruise missiles and a vertical launch system.
Sources
Shahid Soleimani