--- title: "Iran’s Key Naval Base On Strait Of Hormuz Set Ablaze From Strikes" description: "President Donald Trump says that \"annihilating\" the Iranian Navy is a chief goal of Operation Epic Fury, and that 10 ships have already hit." date: "2026-03-02" modified: "2026-03-02" authors: - name: "Joseph Trevithick" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick" - name: "Tyler Rogoway" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway" url: "https://www.twz.com/news-features/irans-key-naval-base-on-strait-of-hormuz-set-ablaze-from-strikes" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Iran" - "Iranian Navy" - "Middle East" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "Satellite Imagery" - "Sea" --- # Iran’s Key Naval Base On Strait Of Hormuz Set Ablaze From Strikes ![]() *PHOTO © 2026 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION* Satellite imagery shows extensive damage to [Iran's naval base at Bandar Abbas](), including depicting [the IRINS *Makran*]() sea base-type ship on fire, following strikes as part of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign. In addition to being the main headquarters for the Iranian Navy, Bandar Abbas is a key installation when it comes to Iran's aims at controlling [the Strait of Hormuz](). U.S. President Donald Trump has said "annihilating" Iran's naval forces [is a core objective]() of what American authorities have dubbed Operation Epic Fury, and that 10 Iranian ships have been "knocked out" so far. *TWZ* obtained the imagery of Bandar Abbas, taken overnight, from Planet Labs. The base hosts the Iranian Navy's main headquarters, and many of its most capable ships and submarines. ![]() *Iran's Bandar Abbas naval base seen in a satellite image taken on March 2, 2026. *PHOTO © 2026 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** Thick black smoke is seen over much of the central portion of the facility. A smaller plume of smoke is also seen rising from an impact point on a pier. Other areas of the facility look less impacted, at least from what is visible in the image. ![]() *A closer-up view showing a smaller plume of smoke rising from a pier at Bandar Abbas, as well as some of the thick black smoke above the center of the base. *PHOTO © 2026 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** ![]() *Another close-up view showing ships and submarines at piers at Bandar Abbas on March 2. *PHOTO © 2026 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** ![]() *A closer look at the western end of Bandar Abbas in the March 2, 2026, image. *PHOTO © 2026 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** As noted, what appears to be the sea base IRINS *Makran*, has clearly been struck, at a berth at the southern end of the base. This ship is an oil tanker converted into what Iranian authorities have called a "forward base ship," with a large open flight deck at the bow and other features, as you can read more about [here](). *Makran* has made several voyages overseas since its commissioning in 2021. It is one of a number of sea base-like ships Iran has put into service in recent years. ![]() *A close-up look at what appears to be the IRINS *Makran* after having been struck at Bandar Abbas. *PHOTO © 2026 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** One and possibly two frigate-sized warships also look to have been struck based on a comparison of the March 2nd image and what is visible in earlier shots. These clearly would have been among the highest value targets at the port. The one *Kilo* class submarine and midget submarines that remain in port appear untouched. ![]() *Close-up view showing a part of Bandar Abbas where two frigate-sized ships had previously been seen berthed. *PHOTO © 2026 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** Other Iranian naval vessels may have been damaged and/or destroyed based on what had been previously seen berthed at various spots at Bandar Abbas in past satellite imagery. https://twitter.com/Schizointel/status/2028549261399347334?s=20 However, the smoke in the image of Bandar Abbas makes it otherwise difficult to assess the extent of damage to Iranian naval vessels in port. In comparing the March 2nd image with one taken on February 26th, it's clear that many of the small boats and some larger vessels [have been moved outside of the port](). This likely occurred just after the strikes on Iran began. It's also possible that some have sunk, but we see no indications of that. Still, many ships remain, and a number of warships in drydock are obscured. Iranian naval assets have been struck outside of Bandar Abbas, as well. [*TWZ* previously reported]() on strikes on the port in Konarak, near the southeastern tip of Iran. Other satellite imagery shows that multiple warships were destroyed and/or damaged at that facility, including what was initially assessed to be an *Alvand* class frigate. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) later identified that ship as a *Moudge* class warship, also sometimes referred to as *Jamaran* class, which is derived from the *Alvand* class. ![]() *An Iranian frigate seen burning in Konarak over the weekend following strikes on that base. *Vantor** https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/2028554737667154154 https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2028115452036022614 Subsequent satellite imagery showed all three frigates and a number of other corvettes and smaller naval vessels were badly damaged or destroyed at Konarak. https://twitter.com/Schizointel/status/2028177283240865813 CENTCOM has also said that it targeted Iran's *Shahid Bagheri*, but did not say where, specifically. The *Shahid Bagheri* is a highly unusual ship often described as a "drone carrier" with an angled flight deck, which you can read more about [here](). https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2028510305920143434 "We're annihilating their \[Iran's\] navy. We've knocked out already 10 ships. They're at the bottom of the sea," President Trump said earlier today at the start of a ceremony marking the awarding of three Medals of Honor unrelated to the current conflict. “This operation \[Epic Fury\] is a clear, devastating, decisive mission,” Secretary Pete Hegseth also said at a briefing at the Pentagon earlier this morning. “Destroy the missile threat, destroy the Navy, no nukes.” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine also said at that briefing that Iranian naval assets were struck in the opening salvo of the operation, but did not elaborate. Targeting Bandar Abbas, specifically, is otherwise important given its highly strategic position in the Strait of Hormuz. It is somewhat interesting that the facility does not appear to have been struck earlier in the conflict. https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/2028386882418266173 The Strait is a critical chokepoint that connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which a substantial portion of the world's oil supplies (as well as other maritime commerce) flows. For decades, Iranian authorities have [repeatedly threatened to shut down this key waterway]() should the country come under major threat. Bandar Abbas would be the hub of Iranian efforts to swarm the Strait with small boats and mine it. A number of commercial ships have now suffered attacks since the outbreak of the current conflict. With the destruction of Iran's navy now said to be a chief focus of Operation Epic Fury, more details about what vessels have been damaged and/or destroyed are likely to emerge. *Contact the author: joe@twz.com* ## Author Joseph is *TWZ’s* Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Bluesky]()