Bayandor-class

The Bayandor class consists of four vessels originally designed as PF-103 class patrol frigates for the United States Navy. Built by Levingston Shipbuilding in Texas, the ships were funded through the Mutual Assistance Program and transferred to the Iranian Navy upon completion. The class is named in honor of Gholamali Bayandor. Two similar vessels serve in the Royal Thai Navy as the Tapi class.

As delivered, the vessels were equipped for anti-submarine warfare with depth charge racks, K-Guns, and a Hedgehog projector. These systems were removed during the Iran-Iraq War. The class has since undergone several armament revisions, including the installation of different anti-aircraft gun types. A modernization program completed in 2013 for the lead ship included repairs to the main engines, fuel systems, and heat converters, alongside the installation of new radar, monitoring systems, and fire control systems. The current armament includes anti-ship cruise missiles, a dual-purpose naval gun, anti-aircraft cannons, and light torpedo launchers.

The class entered service between 1964 and 1969. During the Iran-Iraq War in 1980, the vessels Milanian and Kahnamoie were lost to Iraqi Exocet missiles and aerial bombing. In June 2013, Bayandor was relaunched following a 20-month refit and modernization period. On 1 March 2026, both remaining units—Bayandor and Naghdi—were sunk at Konarak Naval Base by U.S. airstrikes during the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury, ending over 60 years of service and marking the loss of the entire class.